Composition of a cigarette. Substances in cigarettes that cause headaches, nausea or dizziness

Cigarette manufacturing companies generally do not disclose the chemicals that make up cigarettes. Of course, you can find all the necessary information on the Internet, but there is no description on the pack of what you are inhaling into yourself. And this is natural, because cigarette manufacturers do not care about your health as long as you remain addicted and continue to smoke. By the way, about the composition, the same situation is in the case of. No one can say for sure what the composition is in a particular jar, because often the process of preparing liquid for electronic cigarettes is uncontrolled.

The chemicals that make up cigarettes are some of the most poisonous on earth. Cigarette smoke is a poison that is slowly killing you!

Many teenagers start smoking because they see smoking propaganda in TV shows and movies because they think it’s cool. But these are all illusions. Smoking has long been proven to cause (and other types of) cancer. Getting cancer is the worst thing that can happen to you and it's not cool at all. Our noses and mouths were designed to breathe clean air, not smoke.

When a cigarette begins to burn, harmful chemicals are formed due to oxidation. Let's take a look at some of the chemicals contained in a cigarette and which ones.

Chemical composition of a cigarette

This is the main element in any cigarette. It is thanks to nicotine that people develop an addiction to smoking and also develop an addiction. Nicotine is found in tobacco leaves. It enters the bloodstream through the lungs and bypasses the blood-brain barrier. Therefore, it is true that nicotine, when inhaled in small quantities, stimulates the brain. In addition, nicotine acts as a mild pain reliever. However, when inhaled in large quantities, nicotine has the opposite effect. It acts as a sedative, causing heavy transmission of nerve signals.

In large quantities it acts as a poison. Nicotine increases blood pressure and causes blood vessels to constrict. The body begins to release cholesterol, increasing the risk of heart disease. Which in turn increases the likelihood of a stroke. In general, in small doses, nicotine can temporarily relieve stress, but in the end it creates new problems in the body.

Resin: Tar is particulate matter from cigarette smoke that settles in the lungs, causing problems with the respiratory system. Because of the tar, the smoker's lungs gradually turn black instead of the pinkish-white color that is the natural color of the lungs. The blackened lungs gradually become a carbon dump.

Lead, cadmium and nickel: These metals are also found in cigarettes. Nickel is known to cause respiratory disease in smokers, and Cadmium is a carcinogen. Lead is also toxic.

Benzene: Benzene (C6 H6) is found in cigarette smoke and is a colorless hydrocarbon. Its main use is as a solvent in the chemical industry. It is a known carcinogen. A carcinogen that causes cancer. Benzene is known to promote leukemia.

Formaldehyde: It is a highly poisonous substance that is used to preserve corpses and is found in cigarette smoke. Formaldehyde also causes stomach and respiratory problems.

Ammonia: ammonia is commonly used to clean toilets and as a stain remover.

Carbon monoxide: A product of incomplete combustion contained in cigarette smoke, carbon monoxide is a highly poisonous gas that combines with hemoglobin in the blood and reduces the supply of oxygen. Carbon monoxide in cigarettes is the reason why smokers have such weak lungs.

Arsenic: Arsenic, contained in cigarette smoke, is a very harmful chemical. Arsenic is used as rat poison.

Acetone: Commonly used as nail polish remover, acetone is found in cigarette smoke.

Styrene: Styrene is mainly used to produce polystyrene. This toxic substance belongs to the 3rd hazard class and with prolonged inhalation of vapors, it leads to catarrh of the respiratory tract, changes in blood composition and irritation of the mucous membranes.

Polonium-210: American scientists claim that cigarettes contain a radioactive element - Polonium-210. However, it is not entirely clear how Polonium can end up in tobacco. There is a theory that tobacco absorbs Radon, which is in the soil. And the decay product of Radon is Polonium. The half-life of Polonium is 138 days, after decay it turns into lead-206. However, the radon content in the soil cannot be high, and even in this case it turns out that all plants absorb Radon and are radioactive. In general, the statement about the content of Polonium-210 in cigarettes is controversial.

In general, a cigarette contains about 4,000 chemicals. Of these, 43 are carcinogenic and 400 are toxic.

Substances in cigarettes that cause cancer:

Aminobiphenyl
Arsenic
Benzene
Chromium
2-naphthylamine
Nickel
Vinyl chloride
N-NITROSODIETHYLAMINE
N-Nitrosopyrrolidine
N-Nitrosodiethanolamine
Cadmium
Benzo[a]pyrene

Substances in cigarettes that cause asthma:

Ammonia

Substances in cigarettes that cause respiratory diseases or infections:

Acrolein
Nickel
Cadmium
Pyridine
Catechol

Substances in cigarettes that cause headaches, nausea or dizziness:

Hydrogen cyanide

Carbon monoxide
Toluene

Substances in cigarettes that cause kidney disease:

Cadmium

Substances in cigarettes that cause eye damage:

Quinoline
Hydroquinone

Substances in cigarettes that affect the reproductive system:

Carbon disulfide
Carbon monoxide

Toluene
Lead

Substances in cigarettes that cause skin irritation:

Acetone
Hydroquinone
Catechol
Phenol

Statistics show that people smoke to relieve stress, and sometimes just for glamour. But a cigarette only temporarily relieves stress; in the long term, the chemicals it contains only cause more stress and health problems. Each of us will die sooner or later, why rush to meet death?

…Let’s imagine a situation: a stranger approaches you on the street and offers you a pill of unknown origin and effect. You eat it and feel better. And so - every day. Until one day the doctor says that you are terminally ill. Because every day for a very long time you consumed poison in small doses. Nonsense? But this is exactly what happens, only the role of the stranger is played by tobacco companies, and the coveted pill is the same cigarette. After all, the majority, in essence, do not even think about what substances enter the body when smoking and how they subsequently affect the health of the smoker and the people around him. Temporary – until the next dose – relief of tension does not in any way signal global changes in the body. But poison, when consumed regularly, tends to accumulate in the body. Little by little, day after day, the chemical composition of a cigarette accumulates in larger and larger quantities in the human body, enters into contact at the cellular level, becomes part of the human biochemistry... And destroys it from the inside.

So, let’s take a look, section by section, and composition of the object that caused such a massive phenomenon as smoking: the cigarette.

A passive cigarette consists of a filling (tobacco mixture), a wrapper (paper) and a filter. During the smoking process, tobacco and paper are gradually burned and cigarette smoke is inhaled. The main flow of smoke inhaled by a smoker is 32% when smoking cigarettes without a filter, and 23% of the total amount of smoke when smoking cigarettes without a filter. Most of the smoke is released into the environment, where it is inhaled by non-smokers - so-called passive smokers.

Let's take a closer look at the composition and effects of tobacco smoke, the active component of cigarettes.

Cigarette smoke consists of gaseous components and solid particles. The gas components of tobacco smoke include carbon monoxide and dioxide, acrolein, acetaldehyde, ammonium, acetone, nitrobenzene, isoprene, hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen cyanide and other substances. The particulate phase of tobacco smoke consists mainly of nicotine, water and tar - tobacco tar. The resin contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that cause cancer, including nitrosamines, aromatic amines, isoprenoid, pyrene, benzo(a)pyrene, anthracene, chrysene, fluoranthene, etc. The resin also contains simple and complex phenols, cresols, naphthols, naphthalene etc. The same phase contains silicon, calcium, titanium, strontium, thallium, polonium. Thus, in addition to gas phase substances and specific components, tobacco smoke includes ions of many metals and radioactive compounds of potassium, lead, polonium, strontium, etc.

To date, it has been revealed that tobacco products contain about 4,000 chemical compounds, and tobacco smoke contains about 5,000 chemical compounds, of which approximately 60 cause cancer and about 2/3 cause destructive harm to our body.

Condensed aromatic hydrocarbon, raw material for the production of anthraquinone, numerous dyes, such as alizarin. When inhaling dust or anthracene vapor, swelling of the eyelids and irritation of the mucous membranes of the throat and nose occur. With prolonged exposure, a decrease in body weight gain is detected, and fibroid diseases occur in women.

It has a pungent odor, irritates mucous membranes and causes lacrimation. Provokes the development of asthma. It is a substance with general toxic effects and increases the risk of developing cancer. Removal of acrolein metabolites from the body can lead to inflammation of the bladder - cystitis. Acrolein, like other aldehydes, causes damage to the nervous system.

When storing drinking water in aluminum containers for a long time, there is a risk of developing anemia, cystitis, and also reducing the perception of information and concentration. Aluminum tends to accumulate in the cerebral cortex.

Toxic and poisonous substance with a pungent odor. Used for the production of detergents and industrial chemistry. The main component of ammonia. Inhalation of ammonia causes irritation of the bronchial mucosa and lacrimation.

The ionized form of ammonia is NH4+. Used in toilet bowl cleaners, it has a negative effect on the lungs.

Carcinogen, toxin. Oxidized in the blood by oxygen to acetic acid. It is extremely harmful to the health of the unborn child, can cause gene mutations, disrupts metabolism, hormones, prostaglandins, and so on. But the main thing is that it affects the central nervous system of the unborn child, causing mental retardation and mental instability. Of course, there is less acetaldehyde in cigarette smoke than in alcohol, but is it worth the risk?..

A widely used solvent for organic substances. According to its pharmacological properties, acetone is one of the substances that exhibit a narcotic effect. After acetone enters the blood, part of it passes to the brain, spleen, liver, pancreas, kidneys, lungs and heart. When inhaling acetone vapor, oxygen starvation of the brain occurs. It tends to accumulate in the body. And since it is removed from the body slowly, chronic poisoning is possible.

Under the influence of gasoline vapors, the pulse slows down and blood pressure drops. With chronic poisoning, fatigue, weight loss occurs, diseases of the upper respiratory tract, liver disorders, and eye diseases become more frequent.

Benzene is an organic solvent that has a fairly strong pleasant odor (this is where the name “aromatic hydrocarbons” comes from). It is part of gasoline, is widely used in industry, and is a raw material for the production of medicines, various plastics, synthetic rubber, and dyes. Carcinogen and toxin. Short-term inhalation of benzene vapor does not cause immediate poisoning, so the procedure for working with benzene was not particularly regulated until recently. In large doses, benzene causes nausea and dizziness, and in some severe cases, benzene poisoning can be fatal. Vapors can penetrate intact skin. With prolonged exposure to benzene in small doses on the human body, the consequences can also be very serious. Chronic benzene poisoning can cause leukemia (blood cancer) and anemia (lack of hemoglobin in the blood).

Butadiene is easily oxidized by air to form peroxide compounds that accelerate polymerization. Synthetic rubber is produced by polymerization of butadiene. Carcinogen. Once in the human body, it disrupts all biological functions of the body, genetically changing millions of human cells every day. It breaks all protective functions and causes cancer, as well as related diseases.

Flammable gas. Poisonous, like any organic gas. Mainly used as lighter fuel.

Some bismuth compounds are used in medicine as a disinfectant and drying agent. Moderately toxic element. Bismuth in the human body is deposited in the kidneys, liver, spleen, and bone tissue. Bismuth is excreted through the gastrointestinal tract, with urine and sweat. The removal process is very long. The carcinogenicity of bismuth has not been established.

A medicinal substance, as well as a component of dry fuel. At high doses it causes damage to the stomach and bladder.

It is used as an insecticide and one of the flammable components of rocket fuel.

An insecticide is a drug used to control harmful insects. Strongly affects heredity.

Insecticide. The result of exposure may not appear immediately, but after a certain time after contact with the source. In addition to the destruction of harmful insects, DDT was found to have side effects: the destruction of birds and small mammals, and poisoning of the environment.

Inhibits higher nerve centers, has a narcotic effect, causes dystrophic changes in the liver, pulmonary myocardium, as well as the breakdown of red blood cells.

Iron inhalation can lead to the development of respiratory cancer.

A synthetic product that closely resembles natural rubber. Raw materials for rubber production. Isoprene in high concentrations acts like a narcotic; in low concentrations it irritates the mucous membranes.

A heterocyclic aromatic compound that affects the nervous system and human psyche (part of LSD)

Heavy metal. Electrolyte for batteries. Very toxic. If it enters the bloodstream it causes severe poisoning. The effects of cadmium exposure are most pronounced in those people who have a deficiency of zinc and calcium in their diet. Cadmium accumulates in the kidneys, on which it has a toxic effect. Helps reduce bone mineral density. As a result, cadmium interferes with pregnancy, increasing the risk of low fetal weight and preterm birth.

The main element in every living cell. But it’s one thing to absorb it with food, and quite another thing when it settles in the lungs as part of the resin.

Carcinogens are substances or physical agents (radiation) that can cause mutations or cell activation, that is, triggering the mechanism of carcinogenesis. As a result, malignant neoplasms arise and develop.

Carcinogens from tobacco smoke have different chemical natures. They consist of 44 individual substances, 12 groups or mixtures of chemicals, and 13 exposure conditions. Nine of these 44 substances are present in mainstream tobacco smoke. These are cadmium, nickel, arsenic, chromium, benzene, 2-naphthylamine, vinyl chloride, 4-3 aminobiphenyl, beryllium. In addition to carcinogens themselves, tobacco smoke also contains so-called co-carcinogens, that is, substances that contribute to the effect of carcinogens. These include, for example, catechol.

Used in the production of insecticides. Strong poison.

Used mainly as a chemical reagent. It is used as a developer in photography, in the production of dyes, and medicinal substances (for example, adrenaline). It is a co-carcinogen.

76 metals are found in tobacco smoke, including nickel, cadmium, arsenic, mercury, chromium and lead. Arsenic, chromium and their compounds reliably cause the development of cancer in humans. Cadmium and nickel compounds are also suspected to be carcinogens. The content of metals in tobacco leaves depends on the conditions of tobacco cultivation, the composition of fertilizers, and weather conditions. For example, rain increases the metal content of tobacco leaves.

Manganese compounds used in many industries can have a toxic effect on the body. Entering the body mainly through the respiratory tract, manganese settles on the lungs in the form of resins, accumulates in parenchymal organs (liver, spleen), bones and muscles and is excreted slowly over many years. The maximum permissible concentration of manganese compounds in the air is 0.3 mg/m3. In cases of severe poisoning, damage to the nervous system is observed with the characteristic syndrome of manganese parkinsonism.

A soft, malleable and ductile red metal. Instead of benefiting the body, it clogs the smoker’s lungs.

Poisonous flammable gas. A product of the decomposition of organic matter. Main component of sewer gas. Used as a cheap fuel for gasoline engines. Methane poisoning: severe headaches, dehydration, vomiting, difficulty breathing.

Monohydric alcohol. The main component of rocket fuel for liquid engines. A powerful poison that affects the nervous and vascular systems. The toxic effect of methanol is due to the so-called “lethal synthesis” - metabolic oxidation in the body to very toxic formaldehyde. Ingestion of 5-10 ml of methanol leads to severe poisoning (one of the consequences is blindness), and 30 ml or more leads to death.

Instant poison. In ultra-low doses it is used in medicine.

The main purpose of sodium is to maintain water-salt balance in the cells of the human body, normalize neuromuscular activity and kidney function. In addition, it keeps minerals in the blood in a soluble state. This is if it enters the body as part of food. In the form of tar in the lungs, it is hardly so useful...

It is a methemoglobin former (causes hemolytic anemia). Leads to oxygen starvation of the brain, frequent headaches, and depression of neuropsychic activity.

Belongs to the group of substances that provoke the development of asthma and also contributes to the development of cancer. Inhalation of nickel particles leads to the development of bronchiolitis, that is, inflammation of the smallest bronchi. In the body it accumulates in the genitourinary system and can cause prostatitis.

The main substance in tobacco products for which they are consumed. Nicotine is the tobacco plant's natural defense against being eaten by insects. The most dangerous and potent poison. It is a hard natural drug with a very high level of addiction. In small concentrations, it has a stimulating effect on mammals. It easily penetrates the blood and accumulates in the most vital organs, leading to disruption of their functions. Leads to damage to the central nervous system, circulatory and cardiovascular systems, liver, kidneys, and respiratory tract. The main cause of cancer. Nicotine poisoning is characterized by: headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting. In severe cases, loss of consciousness and convulsions, paralysis of the nervous system and death. Chronic poisoning - nicotineism, is characterized by weakening of memory and decreased performance.

Deadly toxic gas. When inhaled in high concentrations, almost instantaneous loss of consciousness and death within a few minutes (nerve poison). At low concentrations – excitement similar to alcoholic; then weakness, drowsiness, muscle twitching, lack of appetite, nausea. Long-term inhalation causes irreversible changes in blood vessels, especially in the brain.

This is a group of carcinogens formed from tobacco alkaloids. They are an etiological factor in malignant tumors of the lungs, esophagus, pancreas, and oral cavity in people who consume tobacco. When interacting with nitrosamines, DNA molecules change their structure, which serves as the beginning of malignant growth. Modern cigarettes, despite the apparent reduction in tar content, cause a greater intake of nitrosamines into the smoker’s body. And with a decrease in the intake of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons into the smoker’s body and an increase in the intake of nitrosamines, a change in the structure of the incidence of lung cancer is associated with a decrease in the incidence of squamous cell carcinoma and an increase in the number of cases of adenocarcinoma.

When inhaled - increased heart rate, increased breathing volume, decreased attention, cough, wheezing in the lungs. In a concentrated state it causes severe drug intoxication, irreversible brain damage with mental trauma and death.

All nitrogen oxides are physiologically active and belong to the third hazard class. Tobacco smoke contains several nitrogen-oxygen compounds in fairly high concentrations - nitric oxide and the more dangerous nitrogen dioxide. Their exposure can result in lung damage leading to emphysema.

Nitric oxide (NO) is formed endogenously in the body and is involved in the regulation of the lumen of blood vessels and the respiratory tract. When nitric oxide enters from the outside (with tobacco smoke), its endogenous synthesis in tissues decreases, and the blood vessels and respiratory tract narrow. At the same time, “cigarette” portions of nitric oxide briefly expand the bronchi, contributing to the greatest saturation of the lungs with tobacco smoke.

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) makes the body less resistant to respiratory diseases, which can lead to the development of, for example, bronchitis. Nitrates and nitrites, formed in the blood during nitrogen oxide poisoning, cause blood vessels to dilate and lower blood pressure. Nitrites form methemoglobin, a stable compound with hemoglobin that prevents the transfer and entry of oxygen into the body’s cells, which leads to oxygen deficiency. In addition, nitrogen dioxide affects the functioning of the immune system, especially in children, increasing the body's sensitivity to pathogenic microorganisms and viruses, and aggravates the effects of carcinogens, promoting the appearance of malignant neoplasms.

Nitrogen oxides, when entering the respiratory tract with tobacco smoke, enhance the body's absorption of nicotine and contribute to the formation of nicotine addiction.

Toxic product of combustion of many organic substances. In addition to cigarettes, it is present in gasoline and kerosene. It dissolves well in human blood. Reduces blood hemoglobin and increases the content of protein and sugar in the urine. Exposure to low doses causes weakness, headache, liver problems and the possibility of leukocytosis. With more serious effects - convulsions, spasms of the respiratory tract, paresis of the limbs.

The soft, silvery-white metal is slightly lighter than lead. The first element in atomic number order without stable isotopes. It is produced in nuclear reactors by irradiating bismuth isotopes. Due to its alpha radiation it is quite toxic.

There are quite a lot of them in tobacco smoke: polonium-210, lead-210, potassium-40, radium-226, radium-228, thorium-228. Tobacco leaves also contain the isotopes cesium-134 and cesium-137. Moreover, the smoke of different brands of cigarettes can differ significantly in radioactivity, and only a small part of the radioactive substances is filtered out. Radioactive components are clearly carcinogenic. Accumulating in the lungs, they expose smokers to constant and higher levels of radiation than a person would normally receive from natural sources. The result is cancer.

A chemical substance that is toxic to humans. Poisoning destroys the central nervous system and kidneys, causing, in some cases, irreparable harm. As a result, lethargy, deterioration of attention, memory, etc. may occur.

Once in the blood, lead is distributed in bone (up to 90%) and soft (liver, kidneys, brain) tissues, as well as in hair, nails and teeth. Symptoms of lead poisoning: fatigue, poor sleep, pale complexion, loss of attention, increased irritability, aggressiveness, a tendency to frequent mood swings, and a metallic taste in the mouth. Digestive disorders, loss of appetite and acute abdominal pain with cramps. There is a change in the composition of the blood. In later stages - headache, dizziness, loss of orientation and vision problems; blackening at the base of the gums; possible paralysis. Possible brain damage.

Together with other highly active substances in tobacco smoke, free radicals form a group of oxidants and carry out the so-called oxidative stress. They play a significant role in the development of diseases such as atherosclerosis, cancer, chronic lung diseases, and smoker’s bronchitis.

A lethal poison of general toxicity, even in small doses. If high concentrations of hydrocyanic acid are inhaled, death can occur within minutes. When inhaling small doses, a bitter taste in the mouth, scratching in the throat, headache, nausea, vomiting, and chest pain are observed. As intoxication increases, the pulse rate drops, shortness of breath increases, convulsions develop, and loss of consciousness occurs.

Hydrocyanic acid damages the natural cleansing mechanism of the lungs, causing toxic substances to accumulate in them. It disrupts intracellular and tissue respiration by suppressing the activity of iron-containing enzymes in tissues involved in the transfer of oxygen from blood hemoglobin to tissue cells. Tissue hypoxia develops, which can lead to a decrease in physical and mental performance, as well as to more serious problems, such as myocardial infarction.

In addition to nicotine, gases and water, tobacco smoke contains tar. More than 1 g of tar is formed when smoking 20 g of tobacco. The resin consists of solid particles of many organic and inorganic substances, volatile and semi-volatile compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, simple and complex phenols, naphthols, naphthalene, cresols, contains metals and radioactive components - in general the list is very long. In the form of a concentrated aerosol, cigarette smoke enters the mouth and then, when cooled, condenses and forms tar, which settles in the respiratory tract. And the entire rich composition of the resin faithfully serves in the name of destruction of the body into which it enters, from lung diseases and decreased immunity to various chronic and oncological diseases, including death.

It is found in the form of esters in vegetable and animal fats and is widely used in the production of cosmetics, wax candles and as a softener in the production of rubber. This is one of the main components of soot, which affects all respiratory tracts.

It has been used in cosmetics since ancient times. Used in the chemical and printing industries, in the manufacture of batteries, semiconductors, cables, bearings, etc. In modern medicine, antimony preparations are successfully used in the treatment of visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis, as well as in studies of blood clotting.

The toxic effect of antimony compounds is their irritating effect on the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract and skin.

Strong industrial solvent. Has a weak narcotic effect. It is highly toxic and poisonous, affecting the body's hematopoietic function. May cause damage to the nervous system (lethargy, disturbances in the functioning of the vestibular apparatus), including irreversible damage.

The gas is colorless and odorless and can cause poisoning and even death. Present in high concentrations in cigarette smoke. Toxic. Its connection with blood hemoglobin is much stronger than that of oxygen (carboxyhemoglobin is formed), which blocks the processes of oxygen transport and cellular respiration. As a result, the brain and muscles (including the heart) lose the ability to fully function. Heart attacks are likely because... The walls of the arteries are damaged, and the risk of narrowing of the coronary vessels increases.

It is not toxic, but does not support breathing. High concentrations of carbon dioxide in the air cause suffocation.

An extremely dangerous toxic substance. When acetic acid vapor is inhaled, the mucous membranes are destroyed and an ulcerative burn of the respiratory tract occurs.

It has a bactericidal effect and is used in medicine and for disinfecting premises. Phenol is most widely used in the production of plastics; it is also used for the production of caprolactam (for the production of nylon and other artificial fibers) and bisphenol (for the production of epoxy and other resins). Phenol is toxic and poisonous. Dust and phenol solution irritate the mucous membranes of the eyes, respiratory tract, and skin. The effects of airborne phenol on humans through inhalation are not known. Exposure of animals to high levels of airborne phenol for a few minutes causes lung irritation, and repeated exposure over several days causes muscle tremors and loss of coordination. Then, after a few weeks, paralysis and serious damage to the heart, kidneys, liver and lungs, in some cases can lead to death.

Initial product for the production of dyes, polymer stabilizer. Carcinogen.

Carcinogen, toxin. It negatively affects the reproductive organs, genetic material, respiratory tract (provokes the development of asthma), skin, eyes. Has a strong effect on the central nervous system.

If trivalent chromium is an essential component of food, then hexavalent chromium is a carcinogen. Through inhalation it can cause asthma.

Zinc is an important element in the human body and ranks second in content after iron. But the benefits and harms of zinc (as well as any element of the periodic table) have a fine line between them, which is better learned in theory than in practice. Ingredients: baby powder, antiperspirant, shaving cream, calamine lotion, sunscreen, hair care product. Used in medicine as an antiseptic, astringent and protective agent for skin diseases. Toxic to the respiratory system, can cause skin rashes, and can cause malformations and deformities of the unborn child.

One of the poisonous and toxic compounds of phenol. Inhalation of vapors causes excitement, increased motor activity, then a sharp decrease in blood pressure, acute depression, and unsteadiness of gait.

...And this is not a complete list, just the most basic ones. Poisons, toxins and carcinogens - the chemical composition of a cigarette, the daily diet of a smoker. And let a person be smaller in mass than the notorious horse killed by a drop of nicotine. And let smoking just one cigarette be equivalent to 16 hours of inhaling exhaust gases in terms of the amount of benzopyrene and heavy metals. Often, nicotine addiction is stronger than common sense.

“Smoking kills,” says the inscription on cigarette packs now. Maybe we should pluck up courage, find the willpower within ourselves and still stop this murder?..

Many people know that smoking is a harmful addiction that contributes to the development of serious diseases. But few people think that in addition to nicotine and tar, the contents of which are indicated on the packs, cigarettes and tobacco smoke include many other poisons and chemicals dangerous to the body.

Products containing tobacco are composed of approximately 4,000 chemicals and compounds. Cigarette smoke - out of 5,000. Each of them negatively affects both the human body as a whole and each organ separately.

Nicotine

A poison and narcotic substance that has the ability to quickly enter the bloodstream and accumulate in internal organs, disrupting their functions. Nicotine is many times more toxic than arsenic. At the same time, it is this component of the cigarette that is the main “culprit” of a person’s craving for smoking and the development of addiction. Nicotine causes the brain to produce the “pleasure” hormone, dopamine, which provokes rapid and strong addiction. In addition, long-term poisoning of the body with nicotine leads to excitability, insomnia, decreased reactions, vasoconstriction, increased blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, oxygen starvation, etc.

Resins

Cigarette tar is what remains in the body after smoking a cigarette. They settle on the lungs, thereby blocking their ability to cleanse themselves and reduce immunity. During smoking, tobacco smoke penetrates in the form of an aerosol in strong concentration. In the body it cools, a condensation process occurs and resins are formed. And they are literally stuffed with harmful and poisonous substances.

Today on the Internet you can find many experiments reflecting what remains in the body after smoking a cigarette.

Penetrating into the body, substances contained in resins provoke cancer and other lung diseases. Cigarette tar is the main cause of cough and chronic bronchitis in smokers.

Tobacco smoke contains 76 chemical elements, including arsenic, cadmium, nickel, lead, chromium and others. By the way, there are currently 118 elements in the periodic table.

Arsenic. Once in the body, arsenic is transported through the blood to the heart, lungs, kidneys, spleen and liver. It also has a negative effect on the nervous system. Tobacco smoke contains a small amount of arsenic, but mainly in inorganic compounds, which are strong carcinogens that cause cancer. In addition, arsenic has the ability to accumulate in the body of a smoker. For example, its significant content in the thyroid gland provokes the development of endemic goiter.

Cadmium– a heavy metal that negatively affects the functioning of the nervous system and has the ability to “settle” in the liver and kidneys. Reduces bone mineral density. The content of cadmium in the body of women increases the likelihood of premature birth.

Nickel is the “culprit” for the development of asthma and cancer. Nickel particles, when inhaled, cause inflammation of even the smallest bronchi.

Lead accumulates in bones and causes their destruction. In terms of its effect on the body, it is several times more dangerous for children than for adults. It can cause growth and mental retardation, blood diseases, hearing loss, and decreased attention and performance.

Chromium serves as another “provocateur” for the development of asthma. It also causes lung cancer.

Phenol, which is also contained in tobacco smoke, disrupts the functions of the nervous and cardiovascular systems in the body.

Acetone irritates the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx and eyes. Its long-term exposure destroys the liver and kidneys. In addition, acetone is a powerful solvent. By the way, the same property is found in cigarette smoke. benzene, which can cause leukemia.

Benziprene– a strong carcinogen. Its long-term exposure leads to infertility, lung and skin cancer.

The tradition of smoking has been known to mankind for several hundred years. And, despite the fact that every smoker already knows about it, people still continue to smoke. Over the past few decades, the fight against tobacco smoking has intensified throughout the world. And it is no coincidence: after all, cigarettes occupy one of the leading places in the list of causes that contribute to the development of various diseases of varying severity, including death.

This is due to the fact that every substance included in a cigarette is, in one way or another, harmful to the body. From tars, which, as everyone knows, are contained in tobacco products - and to radioactive substances.

So, let's try to figure out what chemical compounds a cigarette consists of. In total, according to experts, there are over 4 thousand of them. Moreover, 196 of these substances are poisonous, and 14 are narcotic. Another 50 contribute to the development of cancerous tumors. Conventionally, they can be divided into 4 groups.

The first group consists of resins. , like nicotine, is always indicated on a pack of cigarettes. Resin is a carrier of strong carcinogenic substances that strongly irritate the tissues of the respiratory organs - the bronchi and lungs. When smoking, a person inhales cigarette smoke, which condenses in the mouth and forms tar. The resin, in turn, settles in the respiratory tract. It is tar that is the main cause of cough and chronic bronchitis in smokers.

Everyone knows what is contained in a cigarette and nicotine, which is what causes addiction to smoking. We classify nicotine conditionally as the second group of toxic substances that make up a cigarette. Nicotine is considered one of the most powerful poisons. So, if you smoke a lot of cigarettes at once, you can get . Nicotine is also a narcotic substance: it has the property of causing addiction and then dependence. Nicotine interferes with the absorption of vitamin C, which over time leads to hypovitaminosis C. While consuming nicotine, the heart rate increases and blood pressure increases. But after stimulating the brain with this substance, a period of decline begins - and the body requires a new dose. This is how it arises.

The third group of substances contained in a cigarette are toxic gases. This includes hydrogen cyanide, nitrogen and carbon monoxide (or carbon dioxide in other words), and many other compounds that are no less harmful to health. The most poisonous of them is carbon monoxide, a colorless gas that is found in very high concentrations in cigarette smoke. Carbon dioxide has the ability to combine with hemoglobin hundreds of times faster than oxygen does. Thus, it replaces oxygen, and this gas, necessary for the body, is not able to reach the organs and tissues in the required quantity. As a result, the muscles, brain, and lungs cannot work normally, and the heart has to double the load to compensate for the lack of oxygen. All this leads to oxygen starvation and contributes to the development of circulatory problems.

As mentioned above, the cigarette also boasts the presence of radioactive components in it. Together with heavy metals, they form the fourth group of substances found in tobacco smoke. These include polonium-210, radium-226, potassium-40, thorium-228, cesium-134, lead-210... All these substances are carcinogens that contribute to the development of cancer. Inhalation of tobacco smoke becomes the main source of deposition of heavy metals in the human body. Thus, cases of deposition of polonium-210 and lead-210 in the lungs of smokers were recorded. For this reason, smokers are exposed to higher doses of radiation than people who receive it from natural sources. Just like radiation elements, cancer is caused by heavy metals, which are also found in cigarettes. These include nickel, cadmium, arsenic, chromium and lead.

IN composition of the cigarette includes about 4,000 different chemical compounds and substances. And in about 5000 chemical compounds, 60 of them cause cancer.

Nicotine- the main substance that makes up tobacco. Nicotine received its name in honor of the French ambassador Jean Nicot, who was one of.

In its pure form, nicotine looks like an oily, colorless liquid. A cigarette contains on average about 2 mg of nicotine. Nicotine is one of the most potent poisons, it is even more poisonous than strychnine and arsenic. It affects almost all human organs, and if the amount of nicotine contained in just one cigarette is injected directly into a person’s blood, it can be fatal.

When you inhale, the smoke first enters the respiratory tract, and then almost instantly penetrates the blood and then the brain.

The heart reacts quickly to the entry of nicotine into the body. It begins to work with tension, the heart rate increases. The walls of blood vessels begin to contract more intensely. They begin to narrow, increasing blood pressure. The blood becomes more viscous and the risk of blood clots increases.

Other chemical components and substances contained in cigarettes and tobacco smoke:

- Tar (tar) damages the lungs, causes cancer. Used for asphalt roads.

- Arsenic- a very powerful deadly poison.

- Cadmium and Nickel– used in batteries. Have a toxic effect on the kidneys.

- Vinyl chloride- used for vinyl products. Short-term exposure causes dizziness, headaches and fatigue. Long-term exposure can lead to cancer and liver cancer.

- Formaldehyde is a preservative substance used in forensic laboratories. It causes cancer in humans and animals.

- Polonium 210​​is a radioactive substance that can cause liver and bladder cancer, stomach ulcers, leukemia and other diseases.

- Ammonia is a colorless gas used in many cleaning products such as window or glass cleaners.

- Acetone- the main component for removing nail polish.

- Acrolein- an extremely toxic substance used to produce acrylic acid. It is considered a possible human carcinogen and is an irritant and a cause of emphysema. Increases the risk of developing cancer.

- Hydrogen cyanide- a deadly poison used to kill rats. If inhaled in small doses, it can cause headaches, dizziness and weakness.

- Carbon monoxide- a deadly gas if inhaled in enclosed spaces. It has no color or smell. Can lead to severe poisoning and death.

- Toluene- used to produce paint, paint thinners, nail polishes and glue. May cause fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite and memory loss.

- Ethylene– a simple hydrocarbon found in oil and gases. Causes a lethargic, sleepy state.

- Hydrocyanic acid– resembles the bitterness of almonds, very toxic. Affects the respiratory system, paralyzing it.

- Benzoperine– very poisonous. Changes cell structure and DNA, which can lead to genetic changes. Particularly harmful to

- Urea– used in the manufacture of cigarettes as an additive to add flavor, and stimulates addiction to smoking.

In this article I did not list all the other chemical compounds; what is listed above is enough to understand how serious a threat smoking poses to humans and what they can be