Smoking - Information
What's in a cigarette?
Tobacco :Tobacco Smoke contains around 4,000 chemicals, many of which are known to be harmful.
Nicotine :A powerful drug which affects the brain and quickly becomes addictive
Tar : A sticky brown substance that forms when tobacco cools and condenses. This collects in the lungs and can then cause cancer.
Carbon Monoxide : A gas that is released from burning tobacco. When it is inhaled it enters the blood stream and interferes with the working of the heart and blood vessels.Up to 15% of a smokers blood can be carrying carbon monoxide around the body instead of oxygen.
Other substances in tobacco include:
-
Acetone ( nail polish remover)
-
Butane (lighter fuel)
-
Hydrogen Cyanide (used as a method of execution)
-
Methanol (rocket fuel)
-
Radon (radioactive gas)
-
Naphthalane (mothballs)
-
Ammonia (floor/ toilet cleaner)
-
Toluene (explosives)
-
DDT (insecticide)
-
Cadium (car battery acid)
-
Sulphuric Acid
-
Methylamine (self tanning lotions)
-
Nicotine (weedkiller)
-
Arsenic (poison)
If you need any further support or are interested in joining a smoking cessation course, call into the Health Promotion Office (next to the medical centre) or phone 204922.
This information was obtained from literature distributed by the Irish Heart Foundation and the Irish Cancer Society