What's in a Cigarette?
Tobacco smoke contains around 4,000 chemicals, many of these are poisonous and over 60 are known to be cancer causing.
Nicotine
Nicotine is a colourless, poisonous alkaloid, derived from the tobacco plant. It is a powerful drug, which affects the brain and quickly becomes addictive.
Tar
"Tar" is the term used to describe the toxic chemicals found in cigarettes. This is a sticky brown substance that forms when tobacco cools and condenses. It collects in the lungs and can cause cancer.
Carbon Monoxide
An odourless, colourless gas that is released from burning tobacco. When it is inhaled it enters the blood stream and interferes with the working of the heart and the blood vessels. Up to 15% of a smoker’s blood can be carrying carbon monoxide instead of oxygen.
Arsenic
Arsenic-containing pesticides used in tobacco farming occur in small quantities in cigarette smoke. Arsenic is commonly found in rat poison.
Ammonia
Ammonia is a toxic, colourless gas with a sharp odour. Ammonia compounds are commonly used in cleaning products and fertilizers. Also used to boost the impact of nicotine in manufactured cigarettes.
Acetone
Fragrant volatile liquid ketone, used as a solvent, for example, nail polish remover.
Toluene
Toluene is a highly toxic chemical. The main uses of toluene in industry include rubbers, oils, resins, adhesives, inks, detergents, dyes and explosives.
Methylamine
A chemical found in tanning lotion.
Pesticides
A number of pesticides (chemicals used to kill pests, usually insects) are present in cigarette smoke. - pesticides are toxic. These pesticides find their way into cigarettes because they're used on tobacco plants as they are growing.
Polonium –210
A radioactive element – used in nuclear weapons, also used as an atomic heat source.
Methanol
A fuel used in the aviation industry.
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