Persuasive speech on tobacco effects.

Essay by punther27Junior High, 9th gradeA+, December 2006

download word file, 3 pages 3.8 2 reviews

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The death toll from tobacco is equivalent to four fully loaded jumbo jets crashing each day each one without any survivors. In May 1984 General Everest Koop said tobacco is the single, chief, avoidable cause of death in our society and the most important issue of our time. He also stated that cigarette smoking is as addictive as heroin. Nicotine is 1000 times more potent than alcohol, and 10-100 times more potent that barbiturates and 10 times more potent that cocaine or morphine. More so, while tobacco may provide a pleasurable feeling, its high potential for harm and addiction makes tobacco usage not worth any perceived benefits.

The main reason for tobacco addiction is nicotine. New research has shown that there are actual neurological changes in the brain when one is addicted to nicotine. Nicotine can be both a sedative and a stimulant. The drug causes a release of adrenaline, which in turn causes a release of glucose.

This increases blood pressure, respiration, and heart rate. It also causes a release of dopamine in the brain that creates a sensation of pleasure. No drug that is abused is taken as often as nicotine, also no other drug acts as quickly. There are many psychological reasons why people continue to smoke, they are craving, stimulation, pleasure, relaxation, and also stress relief.

There are a few ways to treat tobacco addiction, but main treatment for tobacco addiction is to quit smoking altogether. Quitting smoking has immediate and long-term benefits. It immediately begins to reduce the risk for lung cancer and heart disease. The most effective way to quit smoking is using a nicotine replacement therapy in conjunction with behavior modification techniques to curb symptoms of withdrawal. Some additional things you can to do help quit smoking is to, limit the alcohol...