The Truth About Smoking

1. If you're undergoing any type of surgical procedure, you should quit smoking in advance of surgery.

True

False

A smoker's skin does not heal as quickly or as well following surgery as that of a non-smoker. Even stopping smoking a few weeks in advance of the surgery, and during the healing process, can make a difference in how well your skin fares from the procedure.

Explanation

A smoker's skin does not heal as quickly or as well following surgery as that of a non-smoker. Even stopping smoking a few weeks in advance of the surgery, and during the healing process, can make a difference in how well your skin fares from the procedure.

2. . Smoking increases your risk for developing osteoporosis.

True

False

Smoking increases your risk of developing osteoporosis -- fragile bones -- by reducing the blood supply to your bones and slowing the production of bone-forming cells.

Explanation

Smoking increases your risk of developing osteoporosis -- fragile bones -- by reducing the blood supply to your bones and slowing the production of bone-forming cells.

3. Children who breathe secondhand smoke are more likely to develop asthma.

True

False

Children are especially susceptible to secondhand smoke because their lungs are still developing. If a child already has asthma, secondhand smoke will worsen the condition.

Explanation

Children are especially susceptible to secondhand smoke because their lungs are still developing. If a child already has asthma, secondhand smoke will worsen the condition.

4. Smoke inhaled from a cigarette reaches and affects the brain faster than intravenous drugs.

True

False

Nicotine is a fast-acting, highly addictive drug. Smokers become not only physically addicted to nicotine, but they also link smoking with many social activities, making it much more difficult to quit.

Explanation

Nicotine is a fast-acting, highly addictive drug. Smokers become not only physically addicted to nicotine, but they also link smoking with many social activities, making it much more difficult to quit.

5. Cigarette smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals.

True

False

The smoke is the most lethal part of the cigarette and contains not only tar, a known carcinogen, but also cyanide, benzene, formaldehyde, wood alcohol and ammonia. Each time smokers inhale, they take these chemicals into their lungs, along with such harmful gasses as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide.

Explanation

The smoke is the most lethal part of the cigarette and contains not only tar, a known carcinogen, but also cyanide, benzene, formaldehyde, wood alcohol and ammonia. Each time smokers inhale, they take these chemicals into their lungs, along with such harmful gasses as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide.

6. Cigarette smoking kills more people each year than AIDS, car accidents, homicides, suicides, drug overdoses and fires combined.

True

False

Cigarette smoking kills nearly 420,000 people each year. A smoker's life expectancy is reduced by 15 to 25 years, and smoking is the single most preventable cause of death.

Explanation

Cigarette smoking kills nearly 420,000 people each year. A smoker's life expectancy is reduced by 15 to 25 years, and smoking is the single most preventable cause of death.

7. One cigar can contain as much tobacco as an entire pack of cigarettes.

True

False

Cigar smoke is just as lethal as cigarette smoke. A single, large cigar smoked in one hour can contain as much tobacco as a pack of cigarettes. Even a once-a-day cigar smoker is exposed to the same level of nicotine as that of a pack-a-day cigarette smoker.

Explanation

Cigar smoke is just as lethal as cigarette smoke. A single, large cigar smoked in one hour can contain as much tobacco as a pack of cigarettes. Even a once-a-day cigar smoker is exposed to the same level of nicotine as that of a pack-a-day cigarette smoker.

8. Although smoking damages the inside of your body, it causes no external permanent damage to a smoker's appearance.

True

False

When you smoke, carbon monoxide enters the bloodstream, which decreases the amount of oxygen your blood can carry to tissues -- including skin. The result is wrinkles and graying of the skin, especially around the mouth.

Explanation

When you smoke, carbon monoxide enters the bloodstream, which decreases the amount of oxygen your blood can carry to tissues -- including skin. The result is wrinkles and graying of the skin, especially around the mouth.

9. Smoking affects sexual and reproductive health only in women smokers.

True

False

Heavy smoking decreases blood flow to a man's penis, which contributes to impotence. Male smokers are also at increased risk for infertility, since smoking reduces sperm density and motility (ability to move).

Explanation

Heavy smoking decreases blood flow to a man's penis, which contributes to impotence. Male smokers are also at increased risk for infertility, since smoking reduces sperm density and motility (ability to move).

10. The highest smoking ethnic group is white non-Hispanics.

True

False

According to the American Lung Association, 35% of Native Americans/Alaskan Natives are smokers, compared with 26% of African Americans and 25% of white non-Hispanics. Although smoking has declined among the white non-Hispanic population, tobacco companies have begun to market extensively toward minority groups.

Explanation

According to the American Lung Association, 35% of Native Americans/Alaskan Natives are smokers, compared with 26% of African Americans and 25% of white non-Hispanics. Although smoking has declined among the white non-Hispanic population, tobacco companies have begun to market extensively toward minority groups.