In The Know Zone

Short Term Effects

What are the short-term effects of smoking?

  • Bad breath.
  • Bad taste in mouth.
  • Smelly hair and clothes.
  • Yellow and brown stains on teeth.
  • Lost athletic ability.
  • Damage to the respiratory system.
  • Addiction to nicotine.
  • Risk of other drug use.
  • Decreased lung capacity.
  • Limited lung growth and function if used in youth.
  • Elevated heart rate.
  • Chronic cough.
  • Increased incidence of bronchitis.
  • Increased incidence of asthma and more severe asthma.

What are the short-term effects of chewing spit tobacco?

  • Bad breath.
  • Bad taste in mouth.
  • Excess saliva production – drooling.
  • Stained teeth.
  • Stains on clothes.
  • Addiction to nicotine.
  • Receding gums (gums pull away from teeth.)
  • Permanent gum loss.
  • Sensitive teeth.
  • Increased risk of tooth decay.
  • Sores, white and red patches, and lumps in mouth. (These may be precancerous.)

In The Know: Substance Abuse Pamphlet/ DVD Package
"In the Know: Tobacco, License to Kill" Pamphlet
In The Know: Substance Abuse DVD Package