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Smoking tobacco is deadly
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Tobacco smoking is the single largest cause of preventable illness and death in Australia. Smoking causes a range of cancers as well as heart disease, stroke and emphysema.
Every year smoking causes around 3,940 deaths in Victoria. Compared to other causes of death for Victorians, on average:
- Smoking tobacco kills 76 Victorians every week.
- Alcohol kills 15 Victorians every week.
- Road accidents kill eight Victorians every week.
- Illicit drugs kill two Victorians every week.
One in two lifetime smokers die from their habit
Tobacco causes more illness and death than any other drug. In Australia, more than 14,900 people died from diseases caused by smoking in the financial year 2004–05. This is about 89 per cent of all drug-caused deaths. One in two lifetime smokers will die from their habit, half of these in middle age.
Surveys show that 21 per cent of men and 18 per cent of women aged 18 years and over smoked in 2007.
A deadly cocktail of chemicals
Tobacco smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals, including:
- Tar – a mixture of chemicals
- Nicotine – an addictive substance
- Carbon monoxide – found in car exhaust fumes
- Ammonia – found in floor cleaner
- Arsenic – found in ant poison.
At least 69 of the chemicals in tobacco smoke are known to cause cancer. Smoking causes cancer of the lung, throat, mouth, nose, voice box, oesophagus, pancreas, stomach, kidney, bladder, ureter, cervix and bone marrow (myeloid leukemia). Tobacco smoke also causes heart disease, stroke and emphysema.
Cigarette smoking is addictive
Nicotine, which occurs naturally in tobacco plants, is the drug that makes smokers want to keep on smoking. Research has shown that, like heroin, nicotine is addictive. This means that when people start smoking regularly, they usually become dependent on tobacco. After a while, the body becomes used to nicotine and needs a regular dose.
Withdrawal symptoms show the body is recovering
Smokers continue to smoke in order to avoid withdrawal symptoms, which can be very unpleasant. Withdrawal can bring about physical and emotional changes, which may include:
- Cravings
- Irritability, frustration, depression and/or anxiety
- Restlessness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Changed sleeping patterns
- Increase in appetite and weight gain
- Coughing.
Withdrawal symptoms are all signs that the body is recovering and getting used to living without nicotine. On average, most symptoms are gone within two to four weeks. Heavy smokers may have some symptoms for a few more weeks.
Most smokers want to quit
Research shows that most smokers have tried to quit. They are aware of the health problems caused by smoking for themselves and the people around them.
Smokers also realise they spend a lot of money on cigarettes.
It is important for a smoker to decide they want to quit and be confident they will succeed. The next step is to plan the best way to do it. A smoker might find it useful to think about why and when they smoke and then work out ways to tackle the urge to smoke.
Type of help available
Help is available for smokers who want to quit. Some things that can help include:
- Counselling or coaching
- Education and information
- Nicotine patches, gum, inhaler, lozenges and tablets
- Prescription medicines such as bupropion (brand names Zyban, Clorpax, Prexaton and Bupropion-RL) and varenicline (Champix).
People who have the best chance of quitting are those who get some coaching and use quitting medications. Talk to your doctor about the type of help that is best for you. Quitting medications are not suitable for everyone.
Most smokers try a few times before they quit
Most smokers try to quit several times before they manage to quit for good. To have a cigarette does not mean failure. A person can learn from a setback and succeed the next time.
Where to get help
- Your doctor
- Your pharmacist
- Quitline Tel. 13 7848 (13 QUIT)
Things to remember
- Tobacco smoking is the single largest cause of preventable death and illness in Australia.
- Nicotine is a naturally occurring drug in tobacco that makes cigarette smoking addictive.
- Many smokers try to quit several times before they manage to quit for good.
You might also be interested in:
Early death - how to reduce your risk.
Early death in Victoria - causes.
Life expectancy for Victorians.
Passive smoking.
Want to know more?
Go to More information for support groups, related links and references.
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This page has been produced in consultation with, and approved by:
Quit
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Copyight © 1999/2009 State of Victoria. Reproduced from the Better Health Channel (www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au) at no cost with permission of the Victorian Minister for Health. Unauthorised reproduction and other uses comprised in the copyright are prohibited without permission.
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This Better Health Channel fact sheet has passed through a rigorous approval process. For the latest updates and more information visit www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au.
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Last updated: September 2009
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Smoking tobacco is deadly - Better Health Channel
Tobacco causes more illness and death than any other drug. One in two lifetime smokers will die from their habit, half of them in middle age. Tobacco smoke contains a deadly cocktail of chemicals and can cause a range of cancers. Tobacco smoke also causes heart disease, stroke and emphysema. The nicotine in cigarettes is addictive but most smokers say they want to quit...
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Smoking tobacco is deadly - Better Health ChannelTobacco causes more illness and death than any other drug. One in two lifetime smokers will die from their habit, half of them in middle age. Tobacco smoke contains a deadly cocktail of chemicals and can cause a range of cancers. Tobacco smoke also causes heart disease, stroke and emphysema. The nicotine in cigarettes is addictive but most smokers say they want to quit...
© State of Victoria. All rights reserved
The information published here was accurate at the time of publication and is not intended to take the place of medical advice. Please seek advice from a qualified health care professional.
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