Modes of administering Tobacco

1. Chewing
2. Sniffing
3. Smoking
4. Oral indigestion

Among the four modes of use, smoking is the most common and most dangerous since it not only affects the smoker, but those around him.

Types of smokers

Active smokers (Mainstream Smokers)
These inhale directly from cigarettes

Passive smokers (Side-stream smokers)
These are non smokers who inhale the smoke indirectly

For both same substance is inhaled though active smokers inhale double the amount.

Certain smokers are at a greater risk than others to heart problems from smoking:

1. Current smokers (quitting will rapidly reduce the risk of developing heart disease, but long term smoking may permanently damage the arteries)
2. Heavy smokers
3. Female smokers (the risk of having a heart attack in women is 50% greater than in men).
4. Smokers of low tar cigarette: smokers of these cigarette are at a risk getting a deadly lung cancer known as adrenocarcinoma. This could be because these smokers inhale and the most vulnerable tissues in the lungs where these cancers start
5. Smokers of mentholated cigarette: this may be due deeper inhalation and smoking earlier in the day.

Reasons why people abuse tobacco

• Peer pressure
• The first one is almost always free
• To relieve stress
• To ape celebrities
• Media influence
• It’s cheap and available
• It is acceptable by the society
• Some ladies smoke it to have dark lips which are said to be attractive
• For prestige
• Curiosity
• Ignorance

Signs of abuse

• Dark lips/fingertips
• Discolored teeth
• Bloodshot eyes
• Trembling limbs
• Chain smoking
• Foul smelling breath
• Deep dry and heavy cough