Harmful Substances Found in Tobacco and Cigarette Smoke

Tobacco cigarette is one of the few product that is extremely harmful to health, can lead one to death over long period of time, but is still allowed to be sold to the general public. Smoke produced from the burning of tobaccos has over four thousand substances and chemicals which are taken in by the body through smoking.

Smoking tobacco is dangerous not only for the smoker himself, but also for the people around him.

The International Cancer Investigation Agency has identified over 50 carcinogenic substances in tobacco smoke

Of which:
  • 11 of the substances are proven to cause cancer in humans
  • 7 probably cause cancer in humans
  • 49 of the substances cause cancer in animals but have not yet been proven to in humans

Detailed list of possible health risks, diseases and deaths caused by tobacco and tobacco smoke: Tobacco Facts and Statistics

The US EPA has rated tobacco smoke as a Group A carcinogen. This means that tobacco smoke is proved to cause cancer in humans.
The sidestream smoke, that is, the smoke which is emitted through the burning end contains even more toxic chemicals than the smoke inhaled.

Blu Luci Green Smoke

The three main contents of tobacco smoke are:

  • Nicotine - Extremely addictive, as powerful as heroine or cocaine in terms of addiction. However, the nicotine is not the active ingredient that causes cancer.
  • Tar - A cancer causing substance, used to tarmac roads. Once inhaled, almost 70 percent of the tar contained in the smoke deposits in the lungs.
  • Carbon monoxide - A colourless, odourless poisonous gas, also available in car exhaust fumes.

Some of the carcinogenic substances found in tobacco smoke are:

  • Tar - used to tarmac roads.
  • Arsenic - very potent deadly poison. Reason for burning of lips and bad smells. Although present in extremely small amount, the concentration can increase along time in the smoker's body.
  • Cadmium and nickel - used in batteries. Found in small amount.
  • Vinyl chloride - used to make vinyl products. Short-term exposure causes dizziness, headaches and tiredness. Long-term exposure can lead to cancer and liver damage.
  • Creosote - a component of tar. Causes irritation in the respiratory tract.
  • Formaldehyde - a substance used to preserve dead bodies. Might cause cancer, and respiratory, skin and gastrointestinal problems.
  • Polonium 210 - a radioactive substance which can cause liver cancer, stomach ulcers, and leukaemia.

    • Other irritant toxins that are found in cigarette smoke are:

  • Ammonia - a pungent colourless gas used in many cleaning products such as window or glass cleaner, toxic when combines with certain elements.
  • Acetone - a gragrant, volatile liquid used as the main component of nail varnish remover.
  • Acrolein - used to manufacture acrylic acid. It is also a possible carcinogen.
  • Hydrogen cyanide - deadly toxic poison used to kill pests.
  • Carbon monoxide - a deadly gas if inhaled in enclosed spaces. Faulty and leaking gas heaters, boilers, stoves and tobacco smoke all produce this gas.
  • Toluene - Used to manufacture paint. Can cause tiredness, weakness, memory loss, loss of appetite.

Take Action, NOW!!

You should quit smoking (yes, preferably smoking as a whole, and not lean towards e-cigarettes even). All the harmful effects are well listed here, and its never too late.

It is never too late to change a life!

However, if you can't quit smoking as a whole, think of e-cigarette as a lot better option. Electric cigarettes do not contain any of the other substances listed here, other than nicotine (which is again, extremely addictive). It is health freindly, and switching will not only give you health benefits (look for electronic cigarette benefits), but also will help all the dear ones around you. You quit or you convert, and make your other smoker friends do the same.