Cornerstone - Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission for Greenwood, Edgefield, McCormick and Abbeville counties in South Carolina

Absolutely. If we can prevent our young people from ever starting a tobacco habit, we will see a tremendous reduction in the number of adults who are hooked. The vast majority of current adult smokers began smoking before the age of 20. The decision to smoke or chew tobacco is almost always made during the teen years, and more than half of these teens will be addicted as adults.

Why is tobacco dangerous?

Tobacco contains thousands of chemicals and byproducts that can make it harmful. The three most dangerous byproducts of tobacco are nicotine, tar and carbon monoxide.

Nicotine is the pharmacologically active agent in tobacco that acts on the brain primarily as a stimulant, but which also has sedative effects. Nicotine is largely concentrated at the base of the tobacco leaf stem. In this form, it is a deadly poison that has been used for centuries as a lethal pesticide. The nicotine "kick" that most smokers get causes a rush of adrenaline that stimulates increased blood pressure, respiration and heart rate. It directly causes a release of brain chemical called dopamine in the region of the brain that controls pleasure and motivation. Nicotine's effect on the brain's "pleasure center" is what creates a craving and reaction similar to that seen with other drugs of abuse, such as cocaine and heroin.
Tar is the gummy substance that is left behind when tobacco is smoked or chewed. It is the primary carcinogenic (cancer-causing) agent in tobacco. Over time, tar builds up inside the cells of the lungs and causes severe damage.
Carbon monoxide, a deadly, poisonous gas, is readily released with each puff of smoke. The most toxic agent found in tobacco smoke, carbon monoxide lowers or displaces the level of oxygen in the bloodstream, thereby increasing heart rate, blood pressure and respiration.

While nicotine, tar and carbon monoxide are clearly the three most dangerous byproducts of tobacco, approximately 4,000 other known chemicals are released as byproducts of both cigarette smoke and smokeless tobacco. Forty-three of these chemicals increase the risk of cancer, while hundreds more are toxic and lethal. Some of the more common chemicals found in tobacco smoke include: acetone (solvent thinner); ammonia (household cleaner); formaldehyde (embalming fluid and preservative); hydrogen cyanide (poison); methane (flammable gas and fuel); naphthalene (dry-cleaning fluid); nickel and cadmium (metals); and vinyl chloride (plastic). The average pack-a-day smoker inhales about 150,000 doses of these chemicals in one year, with up to 90 percent remaining trapped in the lungs.

What risks are associated with secondhand smoke for nonsmokers?

Secondhand smoke, also known as environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), has been declared by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a "Class A carcinogen" - meaning that it is a major cause of cancer and other serious public health problems. The health of nonsmokers is adversely affected by secondhand smoke as seen in more than 3,000 cases of lung cancer and 40,000 heart attack deaths of nonsmokers each year who have been exposed regularly to ETS. Babies and young children, however, suffer the greatest risk from exposure to the toxic chemicals in smoke. Between 150,000 and 300,000 children who have been exposed to tobacco smoke in the environment are diagnosed each year with lower respiratory tract infections, such as pneumonia and bronchitis. These same children also suffer from a higher number of middle-ear infections, asthma attacks, and chronic coughing and wheezing. More recent studies have linked Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) or "crib death" to infants whose mothers smoked during pregnancy or around them after birth.

I've been smoking for 20 years. What good will it do me to quit now?

There are plenty of reasons to quit smoking - improved health, savings in money, a cleaner environment and an improved personal appearance - regardless of your age. Almost 70 percent of smokers say they want to quit, but they don't want to face the unpleasant withdrawal symptoms that occur, such as headaches, dizziness, anxiety, irritability, coughing, dry throat and hunger. Unfortunately, the addicted body craves nicotine and it needs a "fix" for the withdrawal symptoms to go away. The good news is these symptoms are not life threatening, and they will go away.

The American Cancer Society and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveal that immediately upon quitting smoking, the body begins a series of changes and improvements that continue for years. All benefits are lost, however, by smoking just one cigarette per day. After smoking that last cigarette, health benefits are gained within:

20 minutes - Blood pressure and heart rate drop to normal. Temperature in hands and feet return to normal.
Two days - The risk of heart attack decreases. The ability to taste and smell improves.
Three to nine months - Lung function improves by up to 30 percent. Coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue and shortness of breath decrease.
One year - The risk of heart disease is half that of a smoker.
Five years - The death rate from lung cancer is cut in half.

How can I quit smoking?

Help is available if you or someone you know wants to quit. Talk to your physician or other healthcare provider about how quitting would benefit you and whether any of the prescribed medical treatments that are currently available would be appropriate for you. You can also contact national and community organizations that offer smoking cessation programs, support groups, information and advice to help smokers quit for good. For information and assistance to help you quit smoking, call:

SC DHEC Quit Line at 1-800-QUIT-NOW;

American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345;

American Heart Association at 1-800-AHA-USA1; and/or

American Lung Association at 1-800-LUNG-USA.

Is it safe to use alcohol, tobacco or other drugs during pregnancy?

No. Many serious health problems and birth defects can occur if a woman uses alcohol, tobacco and other drugs during pregnancy. For this reason, the U.S. Surgeon General and other healthcare professionals encourage women who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, as well as those who are breast-feeding, to abstain from all types of alcohol - beer, wine, wine coolers and distilled liquor - during this critical time. It's also best for pregnant and breast-feeding women to avoid the use of tobacco products and illicit drugs and to follow the doctor's orders with regard to other prescription and over-the-counter medications.

What are the legal consequences surrounding alcohol, tobacco or other drug abuse?

Laws, fines and penalties surrounding alcohol, tobacco and other drug use differ from state to state, and are also regulated by the federal government.

Tobacco - On Aug. 21, 2006, new laws go into effect in South Carolina regarding tobacco.
- A clerk who sells tobacco products to someone under age 18 face a $100 fine for a first offense, $200 fine for a second offense (occurring within three years of the first), and a $300 fine for a third or subsequent offense (occurring within three years of the first). All offenses are misdemeanors. The clerk may be required to attend a DAODAS-approved Merchant Education program in lieu of the fine.
- Retailers who sell to minors risk federal civil penalties ranging from fines of $250 to up to $10,000 or more.
- A youth under age 18 caught in possession or attempting to possess tobacco products face a $25 fine. The youth may complete a DHEC-approved prevention or smoking cessation program or may complete five hours of community service in lieu of the fine.
Alcohol - In South Carolina, it is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to purchase or possess alcohol. Like tobacco, penalties exist for anyone who sells or otherwise provides alcohol to a person under 21. It is also illegal in South Carolina to drive a car or boat under the influence of alcohol. For both driving under the influence (DUI) and boating while under the influence (BUI), a person is considered to be under the influence if their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is .08 percent or greater. Both DUI and BUI can result in arrest, fines and loss of a license, as well as cause injury, property damage and death.
Illicit Drugs - The possession of illicit drugs is also illegal, regardless of age, for anyone in South Carolina. Specifically, it is illegal to have, make or intend to distribute any controlled substance in South Carolina. Penalties vary depending on the circumstances and the particular drug, but may include a suspended driver's license for up to one year, fines and imprisonment. If someone in your home is using drugs, you will have to prove the drug is not yours to escape punishment.

(Source: SC DAODAS)