Some people who use tobacco think it won’t affect their health because they will quit before it causes serious health problems like lung cancer or heart disease. However, these are not the only health problems tobacco use can cause. Tobacco products begin to harm your body the moment you start using them.

• Nicotine enters your body within seconds of using a tobacco product
  You may experience a “kick” which results from nicotine stimulating your brain and causing it to release chemicals that increase your blood pressure, breathing rate and heart rate.
• Tobacco makes it harder to get a good night’s rest
  The nicotine in tobacco products is a stimulant, which can make it hard to fall or stay asleep. People who smoke cigarettes are more likely than people who don’t smoke to not get enough sleep, have problems with snoring and be sleepy during the day.
• Tobacco use makes it harder for your body to protect itself, leading to more sick days
  Smoking makes your immune system less effective, which means you are more likely to experience respiratory infections. This causes people who smoke to miss more work or be less effective at their jobs when they are there.
• Tobacco negatively affects your physical fitness
  Tobacco use changes how your body works in ways that negatively affect your physical fitness. It reduces the amount of blood that gets to your muscles, increases your resting heart rate and makes it harder for your lungs to bring in the air you need to perform.
• Using tobacco makes you less sensitive to tastes
  Nicotine reduces the flow of blood to your taste buds. This makes people who smoke less sensitive to some tastes than people who don’t smoke.
• Tobacco use causes gum disease and tooth loss
  Tobacco use makes it easier for your gums to get infected. When gum disease gets worse, it can cause red or swollen gums, pain while chewing, sensitive teeth and even tooth loss.

Are you ready to work on improving your health right now? There are a lot of resources available to help you live a tobacco-free life. You can start by speaking with your healthcare provider or by checking out the tools and resources here.