The Toxic Life Cycle of a Cigarette

Gr 7 Up—Most are aware of the dangers of smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke, but few may know of the many other health and environmental risks associated with the growing, processing, consumption, and disposal of tobacco products. This short, information-rich video documents the dangers in a very powerful and visual way. It starts by interviewing teens who have been exposed to chemicals and nicotine poisoning while working in the fields, where they sometimes have to wear trash bags to prevent contact. The narrator notes that 27 million pounds of chemicals are annually sprayed on tobacco fields. The film points out the dangers from thirdhand smoke (residue deposited on furniture and carpeting) that poses significant threats to infants and toddlers. It also highlights the toxicity leaching from the three trillion cigarette butts discarded annually that end up in water and along roadsides. In addition, the film states that people exposed to secondhand smoke have double the rate of lung cancer, while children and infants exposed to it have more frequent and persistent illnesses involving the respiratory tract. Finally, it discusses the fact that cigarette filters are made from a variant of plastic, making them extremely difficult to break down after being discarded.