In a general way smoke is made up of a mix of gas, water vapour and minute particles that give out an element in combustion or when heated to a very high temperature. The composition of tobacco smoke is complex because it depends on the type of tobacco (Virginia or black), the additives and the mode of consumption. More than 4,000 substances have been identified in cigarette smoke. In the gaseous phase one finds 10 to 15% of carbon dioxide gas, 3 to 6% of carbon monoxide, 0.1 to 0.2% of cyanhydric acid and volatile organic compounds (1 to 3%), such as aldehydes, ketones and hydrocarbons. In the solid phase one finds the presence of carcinogenic substances, irritants, metals, free-radicals and nicotine.
There are numerous poisonous substances contained in cigarette smoke (tar, nicotine, ammonia, carbon monoxide, benzene, acroleine…) which affect not only the smoker but also the smoker's entourage. Tobacco addiction whether active or passive provokes cancers of the lungs, mouth, larynx, throat, kidney, neck of the womb and the intestines as well as heart attacks, blood circulation problems, strokes and cerebrovascular accidents, infarction, lung diseases, chronic bronchitis, gum diseases and oral health problems.
The European HELP programme for fighting against tobacco can bring you a lot of information and support for giving up smoking.
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