Cigarette: A deadly composition

Cigarettes are small versions of cigars. They are made of finely shredded tobacco leaves wrapped in a thin paper tube. Although tobacco is the main ingredient, there are also a number of additives that manufacturers add to increase shelf life and improve flavor. On average, cigarettes contain approx. 599 additives. These additives are approved by the US government and were tested for food consumption. However, they did not test them for burning. These additives are in themselves rather harmless, but when burned together, they produce about 4,000 different kinds of chemical compounds that can cause cancer and are also toxic. These chemical compounds were only passed on to the public after the government found out that there are so many additives in cigarettes.

Here are some of the chemical compounds that are either added to cigarettes or produced by smoking:

Acetone used as a solvent in nail polish.

Ammonium used in toilet cleaners and added to cigarettes to increase the rate of nicotine absorption in the body. Also used to add flavor to cigarettes.

Arsenic is a chemical used in rat poison.

Benzene is a colorless hydrocarbon used as a solvent for fuel and the manufacture of chemicals. It is known to cause cancer, especially leukemia.

Butane is the most important substance in lighter fluid.

Cadium is used to make rechargeable batteries and is known to cause several diseases of the liver, kidneys and brain.

Carbon monoxide makes up most of the smoke. It is an odorless and tasteless gas that is very lethal when inhaled in large quantities. It is the same gas that cars emit through their exhaust system.

Formaldehyde is added to preserve tobacco in menthol sigaretten, but it is also used to preserve dead bodies. It is commonly known as embalming liquid and is a known carcinogen.

Hydrogen cyanide is a very deadly gas and was used during World War II in gas chambers.

Methanol is also used to prevent irritation in the throat caused by smoke, this can also be found in antifreeze and in most solvents.

Nicotine is probably known to everyone as the thing that makes our teeth brown from smoking. But it is also a very powerful poison. It is also this substance that makes cigarette addictive.

Turpentine is the substance used for menthol taste. It is a toxic oil used as a thinner for paints and strippers for varnishes.

These are just a few of the 4,000 chemicals found in cigarettes. And for every stick that is smoked, 17 minutes of your life are lost apart from the high risk of developing cancer. About 10 percent of the world's population dies prematurely, and the biggest cause is complications due to smoking. This can be prevented if people stop smoking. For those who do not smoke, it is better not to try. For those who are already addicted to smoking, there are groups that help people quit smoking.