Why not to smoke

Did you know that cigarette smoke contains more than 4000 different chemicals? Some of these chemicals are the ones that are used in toilet cleaners. Imagine what these substances can do to your poor lungs.

Some of the chemicals in cigarette smoke:

Benzene(petrol additive)
- A colourless cyclic hydrocarbon obtained from coal and petroleum, used as a solvent in fuel and in chemical manufacture
- A known carcinogen associated with leukaemia.

Formaldehyde(embalming fluid)
- A colourless liquid, highly poisonous, used to preserve dead bodies.
- Known to cause cancer, respiratory, skin and gastrointestinal problems.


Ammonia(toilet cleaner)
- Used as a flavouring, frees nicotine from tobacco turning it into a gas
- Often found in dry cleaning fluids.

Acetone(nail polish remover)
- Fragrant volatile liquid ketone, used as a solvent, for example, nail polish remover

Tar
-Particulate matter drawn into lungs when you inhale on a lighted cigarette. Once inhaled, smoke condenses and about 70 per cent of the tar in the smoke is deposited in the smoker's lungs.

Nicotine(insecticide/addictive drug)
- One of the most addictive substances known to man, a powerful and fast-acting medical and non-medical poison.
- This is the chemical which causes addiction.

Carbon Monoxide (CO)
(car exhaust fumes)
- An odourless, tasteless and poisonous gas, rapidly fatal in large amounts.
- The main gas in cigarette smoke, formed when the cigarette is lit.


Others
- Arsenic (rat poison)
- Hydrogen Cyanide (gas chamber poison)




Source: An article in Deccan Herald (some years ago) and Health Education Authority (UK) – Lifesaver
If you still want to smoke, please do it while non-smokers are not around.