In-Depth Look: Cigarette Ingredients

According to QuitSmokingSupport.com, cigarette smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals, 43 of which are known to be cancer-causing, as well as 400 other toxins. Some of the main ingredients to discuss include nicotine, tar, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, ammonia, hydrogen cyanide, arsenic and DDT.

When an individual smokes a cigarette, a certain amount of nicotine makes its way to the brain. Nicotine can be compared to heroin, which is described as a quick-acting drug. Like heroin, nicotine injects a type of addiction into the brain. It only takes 30 minutes for the smoker's blood level to reduce to half while they are smoking. Within an hour, the blood level will be reduced by more than half. Common side effects of nicotine include diarrhea, dry mouth, sweating, weakness, nausea and throat irritation (Drugs.com).

According to QuitSmokingStop, one out of every two lifelong smokers will die of their smoking habit and approximately half of these deaths will occur when the smoker is middle-aged. The tar in tobacco cigarettes coats the smoker's lungs, which may cause cancer. An individual smoking 20 cigarettes a day breathes in enough tar to fill up approximately one cup. Also, the carbon monoxide removes much-needed oxygen from the human body, which causes everything in the body, especially the heart, to have to work harder. Eventually, airways will become swollen, which will allow for less air into the lungs, making it difficult to breathe (QuitSmokingStop).

The Formaldehyde Fact Sheet provides detailed information about what low levels of formaldehyde can do to the human body (The Formaldehyde Fact Sheet). According to the fact sheet, low levels of formaldehyde can cause eye, nose, throat and skin irritation. Some studies point to the fact that people with asthma may be more sensitive to the affects of formaldehyde exposure.

Arsenic is a cancer-causing metal that is toxic to individuals. According to (The Science Blog), arsenic boosts the body's production of damaging chemicals, which are referred to as "free radicals", and according to a Columbia researcher's report, arsenic poisons millions of people worldwide. According to the report, antioxidants usually eliminate free radicals from the body. Free radicals also increase the signs of aging. Antioxidants can help prevent cancer and other illnesses. Arsenic is considered to be an environmental toxin. Lung, skin, bladder and liver cancer is associated with constant arsenic exposure. Other issues include diabetes, kidney failure and liver dysfunction.

The Mayo Clinic recommends planning for challenges when quitting smoking. It's important to have a plan of action and to look for and accept support. Living smoke-free can be difficult, but the truth is, individuals who smoke are at a much higher risk for having a shorter lifespan than individuals who do not smoke (The Mayo Clinic: Quit Smoking).