Cigarettes contain a vast array of chemicals, many of which are harmful to human health. From the moment a cigarette is lit, it releases thousands of substances into the air and your body. Some of these chemicals occur naturally in tobacco, while others are added during the manufacturing process or are created when the cigarette burns.Â
This blog post will explore the key chemicals found in cigarettes, how they affect health, and what smokers in Canada should know about them.
The Composition of a Cigarette
Cigarettes are made primarily from tobacco, a plant that contains nicotine, a naturally occurring stimulant. However, beyond nicotine, a cigarette contains a variety of other ingredients, including:
- Tobacco leaves and stems
- Additives to enhance flavour, burn rate, and stability
- Paper and filters designed to make the cigarette easier to smoke
How Many Chemicals Are In a Cigarette?
Research shows that when a cigarette is burned, it releases over 7,000 different chemicals. Around 70 of these chemicals are known to cause cancer. Many others are toxic, damaging the heart, lungs, and other organs.
Major Chemicals Found in Cigarettes
To understand the health risks associated with smoking, it’s important to look at some of the most dangerous chemicals found in cigarettes.
1. Nicotine
Nicotine is the primary addictive chemical in cigarettes. It is a stimulant that acts on the brain’s reward system, creating a temporary feeling of pleasure and relaxation. Over time, this leads to addiction, making it difficult for smokers to quit. Nicotine can also raise blood pressure and increase heart rate, contributing to heart disease.
2. Tar
Tar is a sticky, brown substance that forms when tobacco burns. It contains a mixture of chemicals that damage the lungs and contribute to respiratory issues, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Tar also coats the lungs’ lining, leading to reduced lung function and increased cancer risk.
3. Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless gas that is highly toxic. When inhaled, it binds to hemoglobin in the blood, reducing the body’s ability to carry oxygen. This can lead to fatigue, shortness of breath, and, in severe cases, heart disease. Smokers are exposed to high levels of carbon monoxide, which can cause long-term cardiovascular issues.
4. Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is a chemical used to preserve dead bodies, but it is also released when cigarettes are burned. It is a known carcinogen, meaning it can cause cancer, and it also irritates the eyes, nose, and throat. Long-term exposure to formaldehyde can lead to serious respiratory issues.
5. Benzene
Benzene is a chemical found in gasoline, and it is also present in cigarette smoke. Long-term exposure to benzene has been linked to leukemia and other blood disorders. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified benzene as a known human carcinogen.
6. Hydrogen Cyanide
Hydrogen cyanide is a poisonous gas used in chemical weapons. In cigarette smoke, it affects the body’s ability to use oxygen, which can lead to cell damage, weakened immunity, and respiratory issues. It also damages the cilia in the lungs, which are tiny hair-like structures that help protect the lungs from infections and foreign particles.
7. Ammonia
Ammonia is often added to cigarettes to enhance the delivery of nicotine to the brain. While it’s commonly used in household cleaning products, ammonia in cigarettes helps create a more addictive experience for smokers by increasing nicotine absorption.
8. Lead
Lead is a toxic metal that can cause severe health problems, particularly in children and pregnant women. Even small amounts of lead exposure can lead to developmental issues, cognitive impairment, and increased cancer risk. Lead exposure in smokers occurs through the inhalation of cigarette smoke.
9. Acetone
Acetone is a chemical commonly found in nail polish remover. In cigarettes, it contributes to the breakdown of tissues in the body and has been linked to respiratory problems. The presence of acetone in cigarette smoke can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat.
10. Arsenic
Arsenic is a deadly poison that has been linked to skin, lung, and bladder cancers. It is present in pesticides used on tobacco plants and can also be found in cigarette smoke. Arsenic exposure from smoking increases the risk of heart disease and cancer.
Why Are These Chemicals Added to Cigarettes?
Many chemicals in cigarettes are not naturally present in tobacco but are added during the manufacturing process. Cigarette companies use additives to enhance the smoking experience in various ways, including:
- Flavouring agents: Additives like menthol and cocoa make cigarettes more palatable and easier to inhale.
- Preservatives: Chemicals like formaldehyde are added to preserve the tobacco’s freshness.
- Burn enhancers: Ingredients like potassium citrate help the cigarette burn more evenly and prevent it from going out between puffs.
Are Additives Harmful?
Yes, many additives used in cigarettes are harmful. Even seemingly harmless substances, like sugar, can turn into dangerous chemicals when burned. For example, when sugar burns, it produces acetaldehyde, a chemical linked to lung cancer.
What Happens When You Inhale Cigarette Smoke?
When you inhale cigarette smoke, you’re not just taking in nicotine. You’re also inhaling thousands of harmful chemicals that can affect nearly every organ in your body. Some of the immediate effects of inhaling cigarette smoke include:
- Constriction of blood vessels
- Increased heart rate
- Damage to lung tissues
- Reduced oxygen flow to the brain and muscles
Long-term effects of inhaling cigarette smoke can include heart disease, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other serious health conditions.
Secondhand Smoke: A Silent Threat
It’s not just smokers who are at risk from the chemicals in cigarettes—people who are exposed to secondhand smoke are also affected. Secondhand smoke contains many of the same harmful chemicals, including nicotine, carbon monoxide, and formaldehyde.
What Is Secondhand Smoke?
Secondhand smoke is the combination of smoke exhaled by the smoker and the smoke that comes from the burning end of a cigarette. Even brief exposure to secondhand smoke can be harmful, especially for children, pregnant women, and people with preexisting health conditions.
Health Effects of Secondhand Smoke
According to Health Canada, secondhand smoke is responsible for serious health issues, including:
- Lung cancer: Nonsmokers exposed to secondhand smoke have a higher risk of developing lung cancer.
- Heart disease: Breathing in secondhand smoke can increase the risk of heart disease, particularly in nonsmokers who live with smokers.
- Respiratory problems: Children exposed to secondhand smoke are more likely to suffer from asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory conditions.
Are There “Safer” Cigarette Options?
Many smokers in Canada and around the world have turned to light cigarettes, menthol cigarettes, and filtered cigarettes in the belief that they are safer options. However, research has shown that these alternatives do not significantly reduce the risks associated with smoking. Here’s why:
- Light cigarettes: These contain less nicotine and tar, but smokers often inhale more deeply or smoke more cigarettes to compensate, leading to similar levels of chemical exposure.
- Menthol cigarettes: The cooling effect of menthol can make it easier to inhale smoke deeply, leading to greater exposure to harmful chemicals.
- Filtered cigarettes: Filters trap some of the tar and other chemicals, but they do not eliminate the risks. In fact, filters can create a false sense of security, encouraging smokers to inhale more deeply.
Smoking Alternatives: Are They Any Safer?
With growing awareness of the dangers of smoking, many smokers are turning to alternatives like e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products. While these products may expose users to fewer chemicals than traditional cigarettes, they are not entirely without risk.
E-Cigarettes
E-cigarettes, or nicotine vapes, heat a liquid (usually containing nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals) into an aerosol that users inhale. While e-cigarettes contain fewer harmful chemicals than cigarettes, they still expose users to toxic substances, including formaldehyde and acrolein. Additionally, the long-term health effects of e-cigarettes are not yet fully understood.
Heated Tobacco Products
Heated tobacco products, such as IQOS, heat tobacco to a lower temperature than traditional cigarettes. This reduces the number of harmful chemicals produced during smoking. However, these products still release nicotine, carbon monoxide, and other toxic substances, and they have not been proven to be safe alternatives to smoking.
Conclusion: Understanding the Risks of Cigarette Chemicals
The chemicals in cigarettes are incredibly harmful to both smokers and those exposed to secondhand smoke. From addictive nicotine to cancer-causing tar and benzene, each puff exposes the body to a cocktail of dangerous substances. While alternatives like e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products may reduce exposure to some of these chemicals, they are not entirely risk-free.
For Canadians looking to quit smoking, understanding the risks associated with the chemicals in cigarettes is an important step toward a healthier future. If you’re considering quitting, many resources are available to help, including nicotine replacement therapies, counseling, and support groups.
By being informed about the dangers of cigarette chemicals, smokers can make better decisions for their health and the health of those around them.
References
Hobbs, H. (2023, January 6). The Effects of Smoking on the Body. Healthline. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/smoking/effects-on-body