The document summarizes information about tobacco. It discusses how tobacco originated in the Americas around 6,000 BC and was believed to cure wounds. It was introduced to Christopher Columbus in 1492. Tobacco is a plant that is grown worldwide, and its leaves can be burned and inhaled or absorbed in the mouth. Nicotine is highly addictive and is the main drug in tobacco. Tobacco use causes various health issues like cancer, heart disease, and strokes.

1. Tobacco Created by: Amanda Flowers & Betsy Bailey

2. How Tobacco Started Nicotine found in old world plants. It is believed that Tobacco began growing in the Americas about 6,000 B.C. Believed to cure wounds October 15, 1492, Christopher Columbus was offered dried tobacco leaves In 1776, during the American Revolutionary War, tobacco helped finance the revolution

3. Tobacco Information Tobacco is a tall leafy plant grown all over the world. Its leaves can be burned, inhaled, or absorbed in the mouth. In high doses nicotine is used as an insecticide. Streets names are; cig, smokes, cancer stick.

4. General Information-Facts Nicotine, the main drug in tobacco, is one of the most heavily used addictive drugs in the United States. In 2004, 29.2 percent of the U.S. population, 12 and older—70.3 million people—used tobacco. Cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, and chewing tobacco are all addictive.

5. Doctors determined smoking causes strokes, and is the third leading cause of death. Once hooked, nicotine addiction is extremely difficult to overcome. Second hand smoke can cause asthma attacks in children. Second hand smoke also causes heart disease, lung cancer, sudden infant death syndrome and respiratory problems.

6. Tobacco Hazards Nicotine is highly addictive and acts as both a stimulant and a sedative to the central nervous system. Tar and carbon monoxide are found in cigarettes. Pregnant women smoking causes premature and low weight babies at birth.

7. Long-Term Effects Chronic lung disease. Coronary heart disease. Strokes. Cancer of the lungs, larynx, esophagus, mouth and bladder, cervix, pancreas, and kidneys.

8. Short-Term Effects Increased blood pressure. Increased heart rate and flow of blood. Arteries narrow. Imbalance in oxygen to the cells. Imbalance of blood.

10. Resources http://www.theantidrug.com/drug_info/drug_info_tobacco.asp Academic.udayton.edu/health/syllabi/tobacco/history.htm http:www.drugfree.org/Portal/Drug_Guide/Tobacco http://www.beverlyfund.org/secondhand.html