All smokers are aware that smoking is harmful to health, but not everyone is able to abandon a bad habit. Knowledge of the composition of cigarettes will help smokers think about the dangers of smoking, because in addition to nicotine, cigarettes contain approximately 597 ingredients. Many of them cause fatal diseases, shortening the human age. In our short review, the shocking ingredients of cigarettes are addictive and irreparable.
Historical excursion
Maya were the first to chew and smoke tobacco leaves, and then all of humanity was introduced to smoking. But Native American tribes of America smoked real tobacco leaves without any impurities and toxic substances.
Tobacco also got to Europe in its pure form, but what are cigarettes made of now? The composition of modern tobacco products includes more than 7 thousand organic compounds, 70 of which are dangerous carcinogens that can cause cancerous tumors.
In the 1950s, the dangers of smoking were first discussed. Filter products have appeared to reduce the effects of toxic substances. But he does not save. Light and aromatic cigarettes appeared on sale. Let's look at the composition to understand what cigarettes do to the human body.
Nicotine (C10H14N2)
Modern cigarettes are impossible without nicotine, because it is their main ingredient. It is nicotine that causes addiction and contributes to the emergence of addiction to smoking.
In large quantities, nicotine is a deadly poison. When inhaling cigarette smoke, blood pressure rises, vessels narrow. It releases cholesterol, increasing the risk of stroke.
Deadly ingredient
We will expand our knowledge of nicotine. It enters the human brain seven seconds after the first puff. At first, excitation is observed, but then the processes in our brain under the influence of nicotine are inhibited for a long time.
If you bring a stick dipped in nicotine to the feathered beak, the birds die immediately. A rabbit will kill ¼ of a drop of nicotine, but for humans, a lethal dose will be 50-100 mg, or about 2-3 drops of this dangerous substance.
Resins
Resin is the most dangerous substance in modern cigarettes. Nicotine acts on the brain, but carcinogenic resins are the causes of death.
Resins are formed by the condensation of particles that enter the body with smoke. Settles in the lungs, causing disease. Recent laboratory studies have shown that the tar content in cigarettes is twice the value indicated on the packs.
CO in cigarettes
Carbon monoxide. A deadly carbon monoxide gas that is colorless and odorless. From the school bench, his chemical formula is known - CO. One of the most toxic components of tobacco products.
On packs it is indicated that the smoke of cigarettes contains this gas, which is formed during incomplete combustion of tobacco. When inhaling, it enters the lungs with smoke.
By the way, you can read about the most smoking countries in the world on our site thebiggest.ru.
Hydrogen cyanide (HCN)
Hydrogen cyanide, or hydrocyanic acid, is a compound that affects the cilia of the bronchus, which perform a cleansing function. Damage to this natural cleansing system leads to the accumulation of carcinogens, leading to lung damage.
Ammonia (NH3)
Toxic colorless gas is widely represented in nature. But it is also a product of human activity. In the United States, tobacco companies are the largest consumers of ammonia.
It began to be used in tobacco products to enhance the effects of nicotine. Nicotine is a drug, and ammonia helps maintain this addiction. He does not allow the "tobacco" to go out.
Formaldehyde (HCHO)
The strongest poison used to store dead tissue is also found in cigarette smoke.
It affects not only the respiratory tract, but also the gastrointestinal tract. It can easily cause gastric ulcers.
Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Nickel (Ni)
Lead acts as the strongest poison, and its excess concentration can lead to serious diseases. Nickel affects the airways, but Nickel is a powerful carcinogen.
Acetone (C3H6O)
Compounds of acetone vapor are not contained in the composition of cigarettes in a pure form, but are formed as a result of combustion. Acetone penetrates the lung cells when puffed.
It is considered a toxic substance. It is used to remove varnish, in painting work, in the manufacture of dyes.
Arsenic (As)
The poison poisoned by rodents at home is also found in cigarettes.
Arsenic is also included in mixtures for electronic cigarettes, which is indicated in the list of ingredients.
Benzene (C6H6)
A complex chemical reaction occurs at the tip of a cigarette. At high temperatures, a number of elements are formed that, when puffed, enter the smoker's body.
One of these elements is benzene, which is used in dyes, as well as in the production of artificial materials.
A colorless hydrocarbon is formed in the smoke of a cigarette. Widely used in the chemical industry.
Benzene is a powerful carcinogen that causes cancer. This compound also causes leukemia.
Styrene (C8H8)
Toxic substance irritates the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract. At high concentrations, styrene vapors change the blood formula.
It belongs to the 3rd category of hazardous substances, and it is used in the production of polystyrene.
Radioactive components
Radioactive elements that are dangerous to human life and health have also been found in tobacco smoke.
This is Polonium-210, as well as Potassium-40. In addition to them, there are Radium-226, Thorium-228 and Radium-228.
Doctors and public organizations are actively advocating that manufacturers write in packs of the dangerous chemical composition of their products.
Cadmium (Cd), Zinc (Zn)
Together with smoke, heavy metals such as Cadmium and Zinc get into the smoker's lungs.
It was found that the filter retains lead, cadmium, but zinc passes. Heavy metals are deposited in the body, and upon reaching a high concentration, they cause serious illness.
Dichloro Diphenyl Trichloroethane
Even from the name itself it shivers. And think that it is contained in the smoke of a cigarette. DDT is a poison used to poison mosquitoes and other insects.
On our site thebiggest.ru you can find out about the most dangerous poisons known to mankind. Do you think DDT is on this list?
Menthol
Flavored cigarettes, as American experts have proved, turned out to be much more harmful than usual. Flavored cigarettes are the usual marketing ploy of tobacco concerns.
Firstly, the pleasant aroma creates the illusion of harmless tobacco smoke. Secondly, the menthol contained in them has a negative effect on the functioning of the heart muscle and respiratory system.
Many countries have begun to fight supplements. Menthol-containing tobacco products are banned in the United States.
Kretek
Cigarettes manufactured by the Indonesian company gudang garam are 40% filled with chopped cloves.
Manufacturers tried to reduce the harm of smoking, but these measures did not produce any result. Yes, they have a pleasant taste and aroma. Studies have shown that kretek contains twice as much carbon monoxide and tar than regular cigarettes.
Cigarette brands
All tobacco products vary in chemical composition, nicotine and tar fractions. Different brands have a different set of ingredients.
Well-known brands are trying to keep the high quality of their cigarettes. Use high quality varieties of tobacco. Try to add less chemicals.
But one thing is unambiguously recognized - all cigarettes are harmful, cause addiction, which must be disposed of.
What cigarettes are made in Russia
Russian factories are included in the structure of the largest tobacco corporations in the world, and therefore the composition of domestic cigarettes is not very different from world standards.
They also practically lack real tobacco, and they are “charged” with a whole set of dangerous chemical elements and nicotine. Urea, which enhances addiction, has become an indispensable ingredient in the domestic product.
Heavy smokers prefer Belomor, believing that these cigarettes have real tobacco. But this is another myth, and this legendary Soviet brand did not escape innovation.
So we learned what is contained in tobacco products, as well as what is added to cigarettes. The composition of modern cigarettes is far from its original counterparts. Finding products with real tobacco and no chemical additives is a rarity today, and the manufacturer is akin to bartenders preparing an explosive cocktail of nearly 600 ingredients. Humanity is increasingly aware of the harm caused by smoking, and slowly but surely gets rid of harmful addiction.
We are waiting for your thoughts on this topic in the comments.
Article author: Valery Skiba