Don't get trapped. Nicotine in cigarettes, cigars, and spit tobacco is addictive. Nicotine narrows your blood vessels and puts added strain on your heart.
Smoking can wreck lungs and reduce oxygen available for muscles used during sports.
Smokers run slower and can't run as far, affecting overall athletic performance. Cigars and spit tobacco are NOT safe alternatives. Tobacco smoke can make hair and clothes stink. Tobacco stains teeth and causes bad breath. Short-term use of spit tobacco can cause cracked lips, white spots, sores, and bleeding in the mouth.