
Tobacco and Alcohol: Health Risks
Understanding the harmful effects Making informed choices Year 8 PSHE

Harmful Chemicals in Tobacco
Tar - sticky substance that damages lungs Nicotine - highly addictive drug Carbon Monoxide - poisonous gas that reduces oxygen

Health Risks of Tobacco Use
{"left":"Lung cancer - leading cause of cancer deaths\nHeart disease - damages blood vessels\nStroke - reduced blood flow to brain","right":"Emphysema - difficulty breathing\nGum disease - tooth loss\nReduced fertility - affects reproduction"}

Why Do People Start Smoking?
Peer pressure from friends Stress relief and relaxation Curiosity and experimentation Seeing role models smoke Thinking it looks 'cool' or mature

Alcohol Strength: Know Your Drinks
Beer: 3-6% alcohol by volume (ABV) Wine: 11-15% alcohol by volume Spirits: 37-50% alcohol by volume Higher ABV = stronger alcohol content

Government Alcohol Guidelines
What do you think is the recommended weekly limit? 14 units per week for both men and women Spread over 3+ days with alcohol-free days 1 unit = half pint of beer or small glass of wine

Problems with Alcohol Abuse
Liver disease - organ damage from processing alcohol Addiction - physical and mental dependence Impaired judgment - risky behavior and accidents Mental health issues - depression and anxiety Legal age for purchasing alcohol is 18 in England

Making Informed Choices
Knowledge is power - understanding the risks helps you make better decisions about your health and future