Topic Test Answers

Pregnant women should refrain from smoking because of the potential negative effects that smoking can have on a developing fetus. The developing fetus can be exposed to the dangerous chemicals found in cigarette smoke as it receives nourishment from its mother. Pregnant women who smoke are at increased risk of having a miscarriage, early birth, having children with low birth weights, and delivering a stillborn child.

Some ingredients, such as flavorings, are not allowed in tobacco products because they make the tobacco product more appealing. The hope is that by banning the use of these ingredients in tobacco products, individuals will be discouraged from smoking or at least discouraged from beginning to smoke.

Tobacco use can have a variety of negative impacts on families. Tobacco products are expensive; therefore, the use of tobacco products can lead to difficulties over finances. In addition to conflict about finances, tobacco use can lead to conflict between family members when some use tobacco and others do not. Parents, children, and spouses might disagree with the use of tobacco by a family member, leading to increased conflict and stress. Tobacco use can lead to increased occurrences of illness, which can also add strain to familial relationships.

An individual's choice to use tobacco can negatively impact that individual's own life as well as impacting society. One of the ways in which an individual's choice to use tobacco can negatively impact society is through the introduction of higher taxes that comes from the increased number of individuals requiring medical care due to tobacco-related illnesses. This can also lead to increased healthcare costs as insurance companies raise rates to account for the increased cost of covering individuals suffering from tobacco-related illnesses. The greater likelihood of sickness associated with tobacco use also leads to a decrease in productivity for companies. In addition to the financial ramifications to society of tobacco use, there is the human cost. This cost is not measurable because a human life is invaluable.

Individual strategies include creating a list of reasons why you want to quit smoking, confiding in and enlisting support from others, attending counseling, finding a quitting buddy, cutting down on tobacco use slowly, or quitting "cold turkey." Group strategies include participating in group discussions, engaging in multistep programs, focusing on education, celebrating successes, and going to meetings.

Smoking while pregnant can cause miscarriages, stillborn deaths, premature birth, and low birth weight.

Practice responses for resisting an offer of tobacco can be any phrase that politely indicate refusal: "No I think I will pass. I'd rather not end up with heart disease or cancer"; "No, I have better things to spend my money on"; or "Seventy percent of people who smoke want to quit. Why even start?"

Regional resources that may be utilized in becoming tobacco-free include state phone antismoking/tobacco quitting services, Nicotine Anonymous, local community support groups, the county health department, and various antitobacco health or employee plans.