Tobacco Myth Myth Myth Smoking is just Filters make An occasional a choice. cigarettes safer. cigarette is no big deal. The first time? Yes. After Filters do not protect just a few cigarettes? No. you. They are designed Smoking doesn’t just to make smoke particles cause diseases for heavy Addiction to nicotine can smaller. That makes smokers or longtime happen quickly. It changes nicotine easier to absorb. smokers. the chemical balance in This increases addiction. your brain. Smoking may The 2010 Surgeon Is what seem like it’s just a choice Cigarettes have been General’s Report you know about or a habit. In fact, most engineered to speed up shows how breathing smoking people who use tobacco are nicotine’s path to your tobacco smoke can addicted. brain. Their design feeds cause immediate harm. wrong? addiction. Tobacco smoke can Breaking nicotine addiction trigger sudden heart is harder for some people Light or low-tar attacks and death, even in than others. Quitting can cigarettes may sound less nonsmokers. take several tries. But don’t dangerous. They aren’t. The 2010 Surgeon General’s Report give up. These misleading labels Each cigarette you smoke are no longer allowed. hurts your lungs, your reveals new facts about smoking. Some If you need help to quit, blood vessels, and cells ask your doctor about No cigarette is safe. throughout your body. may surprise you. This new research nicotine replacement, Tobacco smoke contains medicines, or coaching. more than 7,000 Smoking a few cigarettes shows how tobacco smoke causes disease chemicals. At least 250 a week can cause a heart are toxic. attack. and addiction. Maybe it will change what you think about smoking. Cutting back is not enough to protect you. You have to quit entirely. Tobacco Myth Myth Myth It’s too late Secondhand The little bit of to quit—the smoke may smoke that my damage is bother people, kids get doesn’t already done. but it isn’t hurt them. dangerous. Is what It’s true that the longer Don’t smoke or let you know about smoking you use tobacco, the Tens of thousands of others smoke around more you hurt your nonsmokers die every year your children. They wrong? body. But at any age, from breathing others’ can get bronchitis, the sooner you quit, the secondhand smoke. pneumonia, and ear sooner your health can infections from smoke. Stop kidding yourself. improve. Breathing the chemicals FACT: Quitting smoking may be the most in tobacco smoke changes Even if you only smoke The 2010 Surgeon your blood’s chemistry by an open window, important step you take to save your life. Talk to General’s Report shows almost immediately. some of the smoke your doctor or call a quitline for help now. how using tobacco Deadly clots can form stays in your house and causes disease almost and block arteries to your poisons the air your everywhere in your body. heart or brain. children breathe. You can get FREE help at Within 20 minutes after When you smoke at Children with asthma 1-800-QUIT-NOW quitting, your body starts can have a serious, work, home, or at a (1-800-784-8669) to heal. restaurant, everyone even deadly, asthma there breathes poisons. attack from breathing After 2 to 5 years, your secondhand smoke. Get the RIGHT answers for how you can quit. risk for stroke is similar If you smoke in your car, Go to to that of a nonsmoker. rolling down a window The best way to protect www.smokefree.gov does not protect your children is to quit for information on quitting. In 10 years, your lung passengers. smoking. If you or cancer risk is cut in half. someone else in your It is not healthy to household are not ready breathe any amount of to quit, be sure to make tobacco smoke. your home and car 100% smoke-free. .