Chemicals in Cigarettes
The chemicals in cigarettes and tobacco smoke make smoking harmful.
Tobacco smoke contains over 4,000 different chemicals, at least 50 are known to be carcinogens (cause cancer in humans) and many are poisonous.
Cigarettes are one of few products which can be sold legally which can harm and even kill you over time if used as intended.
There are ongoing lawsuits in the USA which aim to hold tobacco companies responsible for the effects of smoking on the health of long term smokers.
This is not an exhaustive list of the chemicals in cigarettes but it gives examples that many people will be able to recognise and relate to the harmful health effects of smoking them.
Chemical | Description |
---|---|
Benzene (petrol additive) |
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Formaldehyde (embalming fluid) |
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Ammonia (toilet cleaner) |
|
Acetone (nail polish remover) |
|
Tar |
|
Nicotine (insecticide/addictive drug) |
|
Carbon Monoxide (CO) (car exhaust fumes) |
|
Others |
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Table 1 - Harmful Chemicals in Cigarettes. Source: Health Education Authority (UK) - Lifesaver |
Having read through the list above, do you know what poisons are in cigarettes?
Continue reading here: Harmful Chemicals In Cigarettes and Tobacco Smoke
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