Health Chapter 20 Vocabulary

addictive drug

a substance that causes physiological or psychological dependence.

Nicotine

the addictive drug found in tobacco leaves.

Stimulant

a drug that increases the action of the central nervous system, the heart, and other organs.

Carcinogen

a cancer-causing substance.

Tar

Thick, sticky, dark fluid produced when tobacco burns.

carbon monoxide

colorless, odorless, and poisonous gas.

smokeless tobacco

tobacco that is sniffed through the nose, held in the mouth, or chewed.

leukoplakia

Thickened, white, leathery-looking spots on the inside of the mouth that can develop into oral cancer.

nicotine withdrawal

the process that occurs in the body when nicotine, an addictive drug, is no longer used.

nicotine substitutes

products that deliver small amounts of nicotine into the user's system while he or she is trying to give up the tobacco habit.

tobacco cessation programs

a course that provides information and help to people who want to stop using tobacco.

environmental tobacco smoke

air that has been contaminated by tobacco smoke.

mainstream smoke

the smoke exhaled from the lungs of a smoker.

sidestream smoke

the smoke from the burning end of a cigarette, pipe, or cigar.