Smoking and Pregnancy

Pregnant women who smoke risk the health and lives of their unborn babies. Smoking during pregnancy is linked with a greater chance of miscarriage, premature delivery, stillbirth, infant death, low birth weight, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Up to 10% of infant deaths would be prevented if pregnant women did not smoke.

When a pregnant woman smokes, she's smoking for two. The nicotine, carbon monoxide, and other harmful chemicals enter her bloodstream, pass directly into the baby's body, and prevent the baby from getting essential nutrients and oxygen for growth.

Breast-feeding is a good way to feed a new baby, but smoking may cause problems. If the mother smokes, the baby is exposed to the nicotine and other smoke poisons from her breast milk. Nicotine could cause numerous unwanted symptoms in the baby (such as restlessness, a rapid heartbeat, vomiting, or diarrhea).

Some research has also suggested that children whose mothers smoked while pregnant or who have been exposed to secondhand smoke, even in small amounts, may be slower learners in school. They may be shorter and smaller than children of nonsmokers. They are also more likely to smoke when they get older because they see their parents smoking.

Tobaccofreewyoming website

TOBACCO AND

HEALTH

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) calls tobacco the number one cause of preventable death in America. Since 1964, 28 Surgeon General’s reports on smoking and health have concluded that tobacco use is the single most avoidable cause of disease, disability, and death in the United States. Smoking kills more people than alcohol, AIDS, car crashes, illegal drugs, murders, and suicides combined -- and thousands more die from other tobacco-related causes -- such as fires caused by smoking (more than 1,000 deaths/year nationwide) and smokeless tobacco use.

Health Facts

(Source: American Cancer Society website)

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States for both men and women. (Source: Cancer Facts and Figures 2007)
Lung cancer is the most preventable form of cancer death in our society. (Source: Cancer Facts and Figures 2007)
87% of lung cancer deaths can be attributed to tobacco use. (Source: Cancer Facts and Figures 2007)
Besides lung cancer, tobacco use also causes increased risk for cancer of the mouth, nasal cavities, larynx, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, kidney, bladder, uterine cervix, and myeloid leukemia. (Source: Cancer Prevention and Early Detection 2005)
In the United States, tobacco use is responsible for nearly 1 in 5 deaths or an estimated 440,000 deaths per year during 1995-1999. (Source: MMWR, CDC, Annual smoking-attributable mortality and years of potential life lost and economic costs-United States, 1995-1999. 2002: 51:300-303.)
In 2006, more than 170,000 cancer deaths will be caused by tobacco use. (Source: Cancer Prevention and Early Detection 2006)
Tobacco use accounts for at least 30% of all cancer deaths and 87% of lung cancer deaths. (Source: Cancer Facts and Figures 2007)
Each year, about 3,000 nonsmoking adults die of lung cancer as a result of breathing secondhand smoke and causes an estimated 35,000 deaths from heart disease in people who are not current smokers. (Source: Cancer Facts and Figures 2007)
Cigars contain many of the same carcinogens that are found in cigarettes. Cigar smoking increased 146% from 1993 to 2004. Cigar smoking causes cancer of the lung, oral cavity, larynx, esophagus, and possibly the pancreas. (Source: Cancer Facts and Figures 2006 and Cancer Facts and Figures 2007)
Among adults age 18 and older, national data showed 6% of men and 1% of women were current users of chewing tobacco or snuff. Nationwide, 14% of US male high school students and 2% of female high school students were currently using chewing tobacco, snuff or dip in 2005.(Source: Cancer Facts and Figures 2007)
Smokeless tobacco contains 28 cancer-causing agents (carcinogens). It is a known cause of human cancer, as it increases the risk of developing cancer of the oral cavity. (Source: CDC Website, Smokeless Tobacco Fact Sheet, 2005)
Smokeless tobacco use can lead to nicotine addiction and dependence.





		Well-Being of Wyoming July 2008
		Smoking and Pregnancy Pregnant women who smoke risk the health and lives of their unborn babies. Smoking during pregnancy is linked with a greater chance of miscarriage, premature delivery, stillbirth, infant death, low birth weight, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Up to 10% of infant deaths would be prevented if pregnant women did not smoke. When a pregnant woman smokes, she's smoking for two. The nicotine, carbon monoxide, and other harmful chemicals enter her bloodstream, pass directly into the baby's body, and prevent the baby from getting essential nutrients and oxygen for growth. Breast-feeding is a good way to feed a new baby, but smoking may cause problems. If the mother smokes, the baby is exposed to the nicotine and other smoke poisons from her breast milk. Nicotine could cause numerous unwanted symptoms in the baby (such as restlessness, a rapid heartbeat, vomiting, or diarrhea). Some research has also suggested that children whose mothers smoked while pregnant or who have been exposed to secondhand smoke, even in small amounts, may be slower learners in school. They may be shorter and smaller than children of nonsmokers. They are also more likely to smoke when they get older because they see their parents smoking. Tobaccofreewyoming website
		TOBACCO AND HEALTH The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) calls tobacco the number one cause of preventable death in America. Since 1964, 28 Surgeon General’s reports on smoking and health have concluded that tobacco use is the single most avoidable cause of disease, disability, and death in the United States. Smoking kills more people than alcohol, AIDS, car crashes, illegal drugs, murders, and suicides combined -- and thousands more die from other tobacco-related causes -- such as fires caused by smoking (more than 1,000 deaths/year nationwide) and smokeless tobacco use. Health Facts (Source: American Cancer Society website) Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States for both men and women. (Source: Cancer Facts and Figures 2007) Lung cancer is the most preventable form of cancer death in our society. (Source: Cancer Facts and Figures 2007) 87% of lung cancer deaths can be attributed to tobacco use. (Source: Cancer Facts and Figures 2007) Besides lung cancer, tobacco use also causes increased risk for cancer of the mouth, nasal cavities, larynx, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, kidney, bladder, uterine cervix, and myeloid leukemia. (Source: Cancer Prevention and Early Detection 2005) In the United States, tobacco use is responsible for nearly 1 in 5 deaths or an estimated 440,000 deaths per year during 1995-1999. (Source: MMWR, CDC, Annual smoking-attributable mortality and years of potential life lost and economic costs-United States, 1995-1999. 2002: 51:300-303.) In 2006, more than 170,000 cancer deaths will be caused by tobacco use. (Source: Cancer Prevention and Early Detection 2006) Tobacco use accounts for at least 30% of all cancer deaths and 87% of lung cancer deaths. (Source: Cancer Facts and Figures 2007) Each year, about 3,000 nonsmoking adults die of lung cancer as a result of breathing secondhand smoke and causes an estimated 35,000 deaths from heart disease in people who are not current smokers. (Source: Cancer Facts and Figures 2007) Cigars contain many of the same carcinogens that are found in cigarettes. Cigar smoking increased 146% from 1993 to 2004. Cigar smoking causes cancer of the lung, oral cavity, larynx, esophagus, and possibly the pancreas. (Source: Cancer Facts and Figures 2006 and Cancer Facts and Figures 2007) Among adults age 18 and older, national data showed 6% of men and 1% of women were current users of chewing tobacco or snuff. Nationwide, 14% of US male high school students and 2% of female high school students were currently using chewing tobacco, snuff or dip in 2005.(Source: Cancer Facts and Figures 2007) Smokeless tobacco contains 28 cancer-causing agents (carcinogens). It is a known cause of human cancer, as it increases the risk of developing cancer of the oral cavity. (Source: CDC Website, Smokeless Tobacco Fact Sheet, 2005) Smokeless tobacco use can lead to nicotine addiction and dependence.

		The Risky Business of Lighting Up by Mike Mills IF you smoke, you are taking a deadly risk. According to the American Heart Association ( AHA), smoking is the "single most preventable risk factor" contributing to early death in the United State. This means quitting is the best thing you can do to avoid an early death. And early, preventable deaths from smoking related illnesses-about 442,000 a year- make up nearly one-fifth of all deaths. Because smoking damages the cardiovascular system, it can quadruple the risk of getting coronary heart disease (CHD), the No.1 single caue of death in the United States. Smoking is a major cause of stroke, the No. 3 killer. Cardiovascular Damage The nicotine and carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke do most of the damage to the cardiovascular system. Nicotine, and addictive drug, acutely increases blood pressure and heart rate. It also narrows arteries and damages their lining. Carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in the bloodstream. The binding effect reduces the amount of oxygen transported to your body's tissues. Over time this combination of assaults on the cardiovascular system from nicotine, carbon monoxide, and other substances can speed up the process of atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, resulting in chronic high blood pressure, narrowing of the arteries, restricting the flow of blood, and increasing its tendency to clot. All these factors lead to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Artery damage that restricts blood flow to other parts of the body-kidneys, stomach, arms, legs, and feet-is called peripheral artery disease (PAD). PAD is 10 times more likely to develop in a smoker that in a nonsmoker. Smoking can also promote heart disease by reducing HDL (good) cholesterol, which can lead to atherosclerosis. As soon as you quit smoking, your HDL cholestrol levels improve. Secondhand Smoke Breathing someone else's smoke can also cause disease, according to the American Heart Association. Secondhand smoke, a mixture of smoke given off by the cigarette and exhaled smoke, is a factor in about 35,000 deaths a year from cardiovascular disease. In fact, studies show that the risk of dying from heart disease brought on by secondhand smoke is about 10 times greather than the risk of dying from lung cancer. Secondhand smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals, of which at least 69 can cause cancer. Other chemicals found in cigarette smoke can do additional damage: Ammonia- Irritates and damages eyes, nose and airways. Unlikely to cause cancer. Benzene- Causes drowsiness, dizziness or headache. Causes leukemia and other cancers of the blood. Cadmium- Damages lungs. Causes shortness of breath, chest pain or cough. Causes cancer. Formaldehyde- Produces watery eyes; burning eyes, nose and throat; and skin rashes. Causes cancer. Lead- Causes learning disabilities, memory loss and decreased IQ. Likely to cause cancer. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons- A group of 100 chemicals that can cause skin rashes, sensitivity to sunlight, eye irritation, and cataracts. Likely to cause cancer. When Smokers Quit After a person stops smoking, the body starts to recover almost immediately: 20 minutes: Blood pressure drops to a level clost to that before the last cigarette. 24 hours: The chance of a heart attack decreases. 2 weeks to 3 months: Circulation improves, and lung function increases up to 30 precent. 1 to 9 months: Coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue, and shortness of breath decrease. 1 year: The excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker. 5 to 15 years: Stroke risk is reduced to that of a nonsmoker. 15 years: Risk of coronary heart disease is that of a nonsmoker. November/December 2005 StrokeCONNECTION pages 28-29

		Natrona County Has Access to Recovery program Access to Recovery (ATR) is an initiative to expand treatment opportunities for people in need of substance abuse treatment and recovery services. ATR recognizes that people need to be able to choose their path, and effective treatment addresses many aspects of life; physical, mental, emotional or spiritual. ATR’s aim is to utilize a broad range of community services by inviting traditional substance abuse services and non-traditional providers to create a range of treatment service options that give people a range of choices and service options. ATR targets 12 to 25 year old persons. ATR can be reached at 307-265-3482. Smoke Free Home Kits Still Available Smoke Free Home Kits are available free of charge to anyone who desires them. Kits are designed to help families establish and maintain a smoke free home. Each kit contains smoke free home signs, bottle openers, pot holders, pot scrapers, quitting literature, and second hand smoke information. Kits can be picked up at: Well-Being of Wyoming (307-472-5991) Wyoming Quit Tobacco Program (307-577-2974) Child Care Finder Network (307-235-7921) Casper-Natrona County Health Department (307-235-9340).

		DID YOU KNOW: For every day that you are quit, your immune system improves. Quitting smoking could help to slow facial aging and the appearance of wrinkles. Using nicotine replacemant products could reduce withdrawal symptoms and double your odds of quitting smoking. (smokefree.gov)




	Funded with the Tobacco Settlement Trust Funds through the Substance Abuse Division of the Wyoming Department of Health.

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