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Tobacco
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The tobacco plant has nicotine (nick-o-teen) in it. This is a mild stimulant drug. |
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The effects of smoking tobacco are very quick. Heart rate and blood pressure go up. |
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Regular smokers often say it makes them less tense, less hungry and helps them think better but ... |
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People
quickly get hooked on smoking . Most regular smokers feel restless
and bad-tempered if they try to stop. Very few people are able
to smoke only every now and then.
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Smoking
a lot means more chance of bad health (like coughing and wheezing
all the time). And getting really puffed out doing sports. And
when you are older, there could be Big Trouble - cancers and heart
problems. Every year in the UK over 110,00 people die due to illness
caused by smoking. That's nearly twice the number of people you
can get into Manchester United's football ground dying every year.
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Non-smokers can get ill just from breathing in other people's smoke. |
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There
are lots of things that can help people who want to give up smoking.
Your doctor can help. Giving up with a friend is a good idea. Or
you can phone the smoking helpline on 0800 169 0 169. |
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Since 1st July 2007 smoking in public places has been banned in the UK and on 1st October 2007 the cigarette buying age was raised from 16 to 18. The legal age for buying tobacco is now the same as it is for alcohol.
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There are likely to be more laws against smoking in public places. |
