Health Effects of Tobacco Use
Not only does tobacco use kill thousands of South Dakotans every year, it also does tremendous damage to the user’s health while they are still living. There are more than 7,000 chemicals and chemical compounds in cigarette smoke. Many of these are toxic, cause cancer, and result in immediate damage to the human body. Young adults (under age 30) who start smoking in their teens and early 20’s can develop long-term smoking-related health problems and increase their risk for:
- Heart disease & stroke
- Multiple types of cancer
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Lung and respiratory disease
- Diabetes
- Depression & anxiety
- Negative reproductive effects including erectile dysfunction (ED) & increased risk for cervical cancer
- Mental health disorders, including ADHD & other developmental disorders
The Surgeon General’s Reports continue to show that
cigarette smoking is even more hazardous than previously thought.
For more information on the health effects of tobacco:
Help stop nicotine addiction in its tracks.
The SD QuitLine helps users age 13 and older quit using tobacco or e-cigarettes.
Encourage teens and young adults to enroll in our coaching program or request a Kickstart Kit. No matter which option they choose, they’ll be provided with confidential, consistent, and nonjudgmental support to kick the habit. The QuitLine’s Quit Coaches are supportive advocates trained to help people plan and stick to a quit path.
If you are unable to download files or access tools on this website, it may be due to your facility’s firewall protection. Ask your IT administrator to whitelist BeFreeSD.com so you have access to this important anti-tobacco information. For further questions, please reach out to the SD Tobacco Control Program.