You At Your Best

BY KARen RiCe YOu At YOuR Best Smoking, nicotine and tobacco use remain major public health issues, in spite of all we know about the dangers. According to the Centers for Disease Control, Arkansas ranks third as the state with most smokers. And men are especially at risk for the harmful physical and physiological effects of tobacco and nicotine, notes Abbie Luzius, a Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist with the Community Clinic in Springdale. In Arkansas, there are more male smokers than females, but it is not just cigarette use that can cause health problems for men. Their use of other products like cigars and smokeless tobacco is much higher. According to the Food and Drug Administration, 6.8 percent of U.S. adult males reported current use (defined of at least one day in the last 30 days) of cigars in 2017. In contrast, only 1 percent of women were current cigar users. Cigars contain some of the same chemicals as cigarettes, and in fact, cigar tobacco contains even higher levels of some cancer-causing chemicals as compared to cigarette tobacco. Cigar smoking can cause cancers of the mouth and throat, as users may inhale smoke even if they do not think they are doing so. Additionally, cigar smokers are at an increased risk of cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, such as coronary heart disease, aortic aneurysms, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Smokeless not harmless Men also overwhelmingly use smokeless tobacco more than women, with 4 percent of U.S. adult males reporting smokeless use, compared to only 0.2 percent of U.S. adult women. Among U.S. high school students, 8.4 percent of male high school students reported current smokeless tobacco use. Smokeless tobacco use can lead to health problems, including cavities, gum disease and tooth loss, and more serious diseases like cancers of the mouth, esophagus, and pancreas. Young, rural, white males ages 12-17 are particularly susceptible to smokeless tobacco use. Social norms Luzius believes a number of factors contribute to the higher use of tobacco among men. One is a male social norm that views smoking, chewing and dipping as acceptable. Another is the high stress levels experienced by agricultural and other blue collar workers. "The age group of typical traditional tobacco users is the 40s and up. Those groups are higher in Arkansas," she said. "Young white males in rural areas have been the most susceptible to becoming addicted to the different tobacco products, and that's how we're still seeing a large rise in the 40s plus age group." Vaping Add to that the introduction of vaping and e-cigarettes and their largely unknown health effects. With vaping, nicotine extracted from tobacco is heated, and when inhaled, added flavors and other chemicals create a water vapor. While most people know that smoking cigarettes is bad, when asked about vaping they're not so sure. New research, such as a major study being done by the American Heart Association, is seeking to determine the dangers of vaping. "This will help us answer critical questions about the health consequences of e-cigarette use and nicotine addiction, particularly in youth," said Serena Munns, executive director of the American Heart Association in Northwest Arkansas. Despite the concerning facts, there's good news, too. The recent smoke-free ordinance for parks in Fayetteville is an indication, Luzius feels, of changing attitudes about smoking. And a federal law passed last year raised the purchasing age for traditional tobacco and vaping products to 21 nationwide. Meanwhile, Luzius and the Northwest Arkansas Tobacco and Drug Free Coalition continue efforts to educate the public about the risks of using tobacco and e-cig products, and raise awareness of resources available to help people quit smoking. A free program called Be Well Arkansas, from the Arkansas Department of Health, is one of many available. You can call and receive free counseling and nicotine- replacement therapy at 833-283-WELL (9355). The counselors are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cigars & smokeless tobacco: What's the harm? sunDAY, JulY 25, 2021 | Men's HeAltH - August YOuAtYOuRBest.nWAOnline.COM | YOu At YOuR Best | 5

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