According to the American Lungs Association, tobacco
contains 7000 chemicals and at least 69 of them can cause cancer.
contains 7000 chemicals and at least 69 of them can cause cancer.
Tar
‘Tar’ describe the particulate matter inhaled when the
smoker draws on a lighted cigarette each particle is composed of a large
variety of organic and inorganic chemicals consisting primarily of nitrogen,
oxygen, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, carbon-monoxide, and a wide range of volatile
and semi-volatile organic chemicals. Tar is the sticky brown substance which can
stain smoker’s fingers and teeth yellow brown it also strains the lungs.
smoker draws on a lighted cigarette each particle is composed of a large
variety of organic and inorganic chemicals consisting primarily of nitrogen,
oxygen, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, carbon-monoxide, and a wide range of volatile
and semi-volatile organic chemicals. Tar is the sticky brown substance which can
stain smoker’s fingers and teeth yellow brown it also strains the lungs.
Nicotine
Nicotine appears to be the most important acute-acting
pharmacological agent in tobacco smoke and is the drug in tobacco which causes
addiction among smokers. Its immediate physiological effects include increased
heart rate and blood pressure and metabolic effect
pharmacological agent in tobacco smoke and is the drug in tobacco which causes
addiction among smokers. Its immediate physiological effects include increased
heart rate and blood pressure and metabolic effect
Carbon monoxide(CO)
Is an odourless, tasteless gas, giving no warning of
its presence in most circumstances in large amounts it is rapidly fatal. CO is
strongly linked with the development of coronary heart disease.
its presence in most circumstances in large amounts it is rapidly fatal. CO is
strongly linked with the development of coronary heart disease.
Nitrogen oxides
Cigarette smoke contains oxide of nitrogen in
relatively high levels this gas is known to cause lung damage.
relatively high levels this gas is known to cause lung damage.
Hydrogen cyanide and other cilia-toxic
agent
agent
Hydrogen cyanide has a direct, deleterious effects on
the cilia, part of the natural lung clearance mechanism in human.
the cilia, part of the natural lung clearance mechanism in human.
Metals
Thirty metals have been detected in tobacco smoke,
including nickel, arsenic, cadmium, chromium and lead. Arsenic and arsenic
compound and chromium compound are associated with cancer in humans.
including nickel, arsenic, cadmium, chromium and lead. Arsenic and arsenic
compound and chromium compound are associated with cancer in humans.
Radioactive compounds
The radioactive compounds found in highest
concentration in cigarette smoke are Polonium -210 and Potassium – 40.
Radioactive compounds are well established carcinogens.
concentration in cigarette smoke are Polonium -210 and Potassium – 40.
Radioactive compounds are well established carcinogens.