Cigarettes contain thousands of chemicals. Up to 600 additives and flavorings may be in a single cigarette. But this is as nothing when we consider the 4000 chemicals that are released when a cigarette is smoked.

Nicotine

Nicotine is the main addictive ingredient in tobacco. It is readily absorbed into the blood and gives a hit (a rush) to the brain in about 10 seconds. Nicotine produces chemicals in the brain called dopamine. It is the regular hits of nicotine that the brain comes to expect and when people quit it causes withdrawal symptoms. Nicotine is a stimulant that increases the heart rate and blood pressure - this is partly a sign that the body is trying to absorb more oxygen.

Acetone

That’s the stuff used as a solvent to remove nail varnish.

Ammonia

Ammonia speeds up the delivery of the nicotine.It freebases the nicotine in the same way as a crack user takes cocaine.

Tar

Tar is deposited into the lungs every time a person inhales. Smoking 20 or more cigarettes a day deposits 1 to 1.5 pounds of tar into the lungs every year.

Benzene

Used as a solvent in fuel & dyes. Known to cause cancer.

Cadmium

Used to make batteries, cadmium is known to cause kidney damage. It increases the risk of developing lung cancer.

Carbon monoxide

This is the same chemical pushed out by cars. It prevents the blood carrying oxygen around the body. A heavy smoker’s ability to carry oxygen around the body is reduced by up to 15%.

Hydrogen Cyanide

Yet another gas that reduces the body’s ability to carry oxygen around the body.

Pyridine

Pyridine is a central nervous system depressant that boosts the effect of smoking.

Other additives

There are numerous other additives to cigarettes, depending on what type of cigarettes and the manufacturer/brand.