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Components of Cigarette Smoke

Cigarette smoking is the cause of many fatal diseases, including stroke, cancer and emphysema. According to the BBC, there are more than 4000 chemical compounds in cigarette smoke, 200 of which are poisons and 43 of which are carcinogens (which means they cause cancer). While these toxic substances affect smokers more directly, non-smokers standing by also inhale significant amounts of toxic smoke.

  1. Carbon Monoxide

    • Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas originated by the burning of tobacco contained in the cigarette. Once inhaled, the substance links to the hemoglobin in red blood cells, thus reducing the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, reports the National Cancer Institute. Although carbon monoxide does not directly cause cancer, it contribute to the debilitation of lung function, helping the carcinogenic substances to act quicker. According to Cancer Research UK, carbon monoxide makes up three to five percent of cigarette smoke.

    Nicotine

    • Nicotine is the bigger psychoactive component of smoke, which means it acts directly in the brain. It causes relaxation and mood change, and by extension, addiction to cigarettes. Nicotine drastically interferes with the heart rate and blood circulation, and causing injury to the arterial lining, reports the National Cancer Institute. Although nicotine is not a carcinogen, studies published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation showed that the substance is able to stimulate the growth of lung cells, thus contributing to the development of lung tumors.

    Arsenic

    • Arsenic is a heavy metal and one of the most dangerous substances found in cigarette smoke, according to Cancer Research UK. It can cause cancer, damage the heart and its blood vessels, and accumulate in the body tissues over time. Other metals, such as cadmium and lead are also found in the smoke of cigarettes, and are equally dangerous, reports the Royal Society of Chemistry.

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