Cigarette smoke is toxic. It contains thousands of chemicals, many of them toxic. A substantial percentage of them are proven to be carcinogenic (those that cause cancer), while some others are yet to be tested for their effects on the human body. Some of these are chemicals that are used in solvents, nail polish removers, car batteries, gas chambers and such others. Some are used as flavoring, to give a high or even just to help the cigarette be lit and not keep going off.
Dangers of cigarette ingredients
These chemicals are just a fraction of the large amount of toxicity that is contained in cigarette smoke. They are some of the most toxic ones, and some of them are also proven carcinogens.
- Nicotine: It is a chemical that is so toxic that, in its pure form, even a single drop of it can cause death on entering the body. It is also highly addictive.
- Ammonia: It is used in solvents and floor cleaners and can remove bacteria as well as layers of skin. It can damage body tissues even in very small dosages.
- Benzene: It is also an industrial chemical used for a number of chemical formulations. It is a known carcinogen.
- Cadmium: This is another chemical that is known for its carcinogenic nature. It is known to cause lung and prostrate cancers.
- Formaldehyde: It is used for embalming purposes, that is, to keep tissues from decaying. It is highly toxic and can cause lung cancer, even if it is a small dose.
- Carbon monoxide: It is known as being anti-oxygen as it comes in the way of oxygenation of blood and absorption of oxygen from the lungs. It is also highly toxic.
- Sulfuric acid: This chemical is very strong and is generally found to be a component of car batteries. If it is very strong, it can cause severe damage to tissues.
- Arsenic: This chemical is used as a poison and is generally a common ingredient of rat poison. It is highly toxic if it enters the body.
- Acetone: This chemical is very commonly found and used as a nail polish remover. It is a strong chemical that can damage tissues.
- Hydrogen cyanide: This chemical is highly toxic and is used in gas chambers. It can cause fatality even in small amounts.
- Maltitol: It is a sweetener that is used as a flavoring in some cigarettes. It has been rejected by the USDA for use in food products.
These are just a very small number of chemicals that go into your body when you take a puff from a cigarette. There are at least 600 chemicals that are banned from use and are poisonous that enter the body every time you smoke.
