Tobacco smoke has a lot of poisonous chemicals that can affect both smokers and nonsmokers. What are these substances? Below is a short list of those chemicals taken from “The Book of Lists #2” by Irving Wallace, David Wallechinsky, Amy Wallace, and Sylvia Wallace:

Acrolein - a toxic, colorless liquid with irritating vapors.

Carbon monoxide - a tasteless, odorless gas which robs the tissues of life-giving oxygen. It’s the same foul stuff your car exhaust emits.

Ammonia - a gaseous compound used in the manufacture of explosives and disinfectants. It is irritating to the eyes and mucous membranes and can cause burns and blistering.

Formic acid - a colorless, pungent and highly corrosive liquid used in processing textile and leather. Exposure to the acid causes blistering and irritates the mucous membranes. Cancer has been reported in laboratory animals.

Hydrogen cyanide – an extremely poisonous liquid used in some countries in executing criminals.

Formaldehyde - a colorless gas used in nail hardeners, nail polish and shampoos despite its toxic effects. Indigestion can cause severe abdominal pain, internal bleeding, vertigo, coma and death. May react with other chemical agents to produce mutagenic and carcinogenic effects.

Phenol - used in shaving creams, hand lotions and other commercial products even after many cases of poisoning have been reported. Small amounts can cause nausea, vomiting, paralysis and convulsions.

Acetaldehyde - a flammable liquid used in making perfumes. It occurs naturally in apples, broccoli, cheese and other vegetables. It can irritate the eyes and mucous membranes, increase blood pressure, and decrease the number of red and white blood cells. Large doses can lead to death by respiratory paralysis.

Pyridine – a flammable liquid that may cause central nervous system depression and irritation of the skin and respiratory tract. Prolonged use can lead to kidney and liver damage.

Methyl chloride - a toxic gas used in the production of rubber and in gasoline.

Acetonitrile - a toxic compound used in making plastics, rubber, and insecticides.

Methanol - a poisonous liquid alcohol with a nauseating odor. Large amounts may cause vomiting, impaired perception, stupor, coma, and death. It is used in rocket fuels and in automobile antifreezes.

Arsenic - a highly poisonous compound that causes nausea, vomiting, and death.

After reading about these dangerous chemicals contained in cigarettes, some smokers may switch to low-tar brands, thinking they can lessen or escape from the harmful effects of tobacco that way.

Unfortunately, that strategy won't work. Although the average tar and nicotine content of cigarettes have been reduced during the last 30 years, there is still no such thing as a safe cigarette. Switching to a low-yield brand is simply not the answer. (Next: Diseases from smoking.)

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