Tobacco smoke contains a deadly mix of more than 7000 chemicals and at least 70 of those chemicals are known to cause cancer and at least 250 are known to be harmful. The list of 599 additives approved by the US Government for use in the manufacture of cigarettes is something every smoker should see. Submitted by the five major American cigarette companies to the Dept. of Health and Human Services in April of 1994, this list of ingredients had long been kept a secret. Tobacco companies reporting this information were: American Tobacco Company, Brown and Williamson, Liggett Group, Inc., Philip Morris Inc. & R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company.

Chemicals in Cigarettes: Carcinogens

A carcinogen is defined as any substance that can cause or aggravate cancer. Approximately 70 of the chemicals in cigarettes are known to cause cancer.

Benzene

Benzene can be found in pesticides and gasoline. It is present in high levels in cigarette smoke and accounts for half of all human exposure to this hazardous chemical.

Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is a chemical used to preserve dead bodies, and is responsible for some of the nose, throat and eye irritation smokers experience when breathing in cigarette smoke.

Pesticides

Pesticides are used on our lawns and gardens, and inhaled into our lungs via cigarette smoke.

TSNAs

Tobacco-specific N-nitrosamines (TSNAs) are known to be some of the most potent carcinogens present in smokeless tobacco, snuff and tobacco smoke.

Vinyl Chloride

Vinyl Chloride is a man-made chemical that is used in making plastics and is in cigarette filters.

Chemicals in Cigarettes: Toxic Metals

Toxic / heavy metals are metals and metal compounds that have the potential to harm our health when absorbed or inhaled. In very small amounts, some of these metals support life, but when taken in large amounts, can become toxic.

Arsenic

Commonly used in rat poison, arsenic finds its way into cigarette smoke through some of the pesticides that are used in tobacco farming.

Cadmium

Cadmium is a toxic heavy metal that is used in batteries. Smokers typically have twice as much cadmium in their bodies as nonsmokers.

Chemicals in Cigarettes: Radioactive Toxic Metals

There are a couple of toxic metals in cigarette smoke that carry an extra punch of danger for anyone breathing it in: they are radioactive.

Radioactive Cigarette Smoke

Lead-210 (Pb-210) and polonium-210 (Po-210) are poisonous, radioactive heavy metals that research has shown to be present in cigarette smoke.

Chemicals in Cigarettes: Poisons

Poison is defined as any substance that, when introduced to a living organism, causes severe physical distress or death. Science has discovered approximately 250 poisonous gases in cigarette smoke.

Ammonia

Ammonia compounds are commonly used in cleaning products and fertilizers. Ammonia is also used to boost the impact of nicotine in manufactured cigarettes.

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is present in car exhaust and is lethal in very large amounts. Cigarette smoke can contain high levels of carbon monoxide.

Hydrogen Cyanide

Hydrogen cyanide was used to kill people in the gas chambers in Nazi Germany during World War II. It can be found in cigarette smoke.

Nicotine

Nicotine is a poison used in pesticides and is the addictive element in cigarettes.

• Acetanisole

• Acetic Acid

• Acetoin

• Acetophenone

• 6-Acetoxydihydrotheaspirane

• 2-Acetyl-3- Ethylpyrazine

• 2-Acetyl-5-Methylfuran

• Acetylpyrazine

• 2-Acetylpyridine

• 3-Acetylpyridine

• 2-Acetylthiazole

• Aconitic Acid

• dl-Alanine

• Alfalfa Extract

• Allspice Extract,Oleoresin, and Oil

• Allyl Hexanoate

• Allyl Ionone

• Almond Bitter Oil

• Ambergris Tincture

• Ammonia

• Ammonium Bicarbonate

• Ammonium Hydroxide

• Ammonium Phosphate Dibasic

• Ammonium Sulfide

• Amyl Alcohol

• Amyl Butyrate

• Amyl Formate

• Amyl Octanoate

• alpha-Amylcinnamaldehyde

• Amyris Oil

• trans-Anethole

• Angelica Root Extract, Oil and Seed Oil

• Anise

• Anise Star, Extract and Oils

• Anisyl Acetate

• Anisyl Alcohol

• Anisyl Formate

• Anisyl Phenylacetate

• Apple Juice Concentrate, Extract, and Skins

• Apricot Extract and Juice Concentrate

• 1-Arginine

• Asafetida Fluid Extract And Oil

• Ascorbic Acid

• 1-Asparagine Monohydrate

• 1-Aspartic Acid

• Balsam Peru and Oil

• Basil Oil

• Bay Leaf, Oil and Sweet Oil

• Beeswax White

• Beet Juice Concentrate

• Benzaldehyde

• Benzaldehyde Glyceryl Acetal

• Benzoic Acid, Benzoin

• Benzoin Resin

• Benzophenone

• Benzyl Alcohol

• Benzyl Benzoate

• Benzyl Butyrate

• Benzyl Cinnamate

• Benzyl Propionate

• Benzyl Salicylate

• Bergamot Oil

• Bisabolene

• Black Currant Buds Absolute

• Borneol

• Bornyl Acetate

• Buchu Leaf Oil

• 1,3-Butanediol

• 2,3-Butanedione

• 1-Butanol

• 2-Butanone

• 4(2-Butenylidene)-3,5,5-Trimethyl-2-Cyclohexen-1-One

• Butter, Butter Esters, and Butter Oil

• Butyl Acetate

• Butyl Butyrate

• Butyl Butyryl Lactate

• Butyl Isovalerate

• Butyl Phenylacetate

• Butyl Undecylenate

• 3-Butylidenephthalide

• Butyric Acid]

• Cadinene

• Caffeine

• Calcium Carbonate

• Camphene

• Cananga Oil

• Capsicum Oleoresin

• Caramel Color

• Caraway Oil

• Carbon Dioxide

• Cardamom Oleoresin, Extract, Seed Oil, and Powder

• Carob Bean and Extract

• beta-Carotene

• Carrot Oil

• Carvacrol

• 4-Carvomenthenol

• 1-Carvone

• beta-Caryophyllene

• beta-Caryophyllene Oxide

• Cascarilla Oil and Bark Extract

• Cassia Bark Oil

• Cassie Absolute and Oil

• Castoreum Extract, Tincture and Absolute

• Cedar Leaf Oil

• Cedarwood Oil Terpenes and Virginiana

• Cedrol

• Celery Seed Extract, Solid, Oil, And Oleoresin

• Cellulose Fiber

• Chamomile Flower Oil And Extract

• Chicory Extract

• Chocolate

• Cinnamaldehyde

• Cinnamic Acid

• Cinnamon Leaf Oil, Bark Oil, and Extract

• Cinnamyl Acetate

• Cinnamyl Alcohol

• Cinnamyl Cinnamate

• Cinnamyl Isovalerate

• Cinnamyl Propionate

• Citral

• Citric Acid

• Citronella Oil

• dl-Citronellol

• Citronellyl Butyrate

• itronellyl Isobutyrate

• Civet Absolute

• Clary Oil

• Clover Tops, Red Solid Extract

• Cocoa

• Cocoa Shells, Extract, Distillate And Powder

• Coconut Oil

• Coffee

• Cognac White and Green Oil

• Copaiba Oil

• Coriander Extract and Oil

• Corn Oil

• Corn Silk

• Costus Root Oil

• Cubeb Oil

• Cuminaldehyde

• para-Cymene

• 1-Cysteine Dandelion Root Solid Extract

• Davana Oil

• 2-trans, 4-trans-Decadienal

• delta-Decalactone

• gamma-Decalactone

• Decanal

• Decanoic Acid

• 1-Decanol

• 2-Decenal

• Dehydromenthofurolactone

• Diethyl Malonate

• Diethyl Sebacate

• 2,3-Diethylpyrazine

• Dihydro Anethole

• 5,7-Dihydro-2-Methylthieno(3,4-D) Pyrimidine

• Dill Seed Oil and Extract

• meta-Dimethoxybenzene

• para-Dimethoxybenzene

• 2,6-Dimethoxyphenol

• Dimethyl Succinate

• 3,4-Dimethyl-1,2 Cyclopentanedione

• 3,5- Dimethyl-1,2-Cyclopentanedione

• 3,7-Dimethyl-1,3,6-Octatriene

• 4,5-Dimethyl-3-Hydroxy-2,5-

Dihydrofuran-2-One

• 6,10-Dimethyl-5,9-Undecadien-

2-One

• 3,7-Dimethyl-6-Octenoic Acid

• 2,4 Dimethylacetophenone

• alpha,para-Dimethylbenzyl Alcohol

• alpha,alpha-Dimethylphenethyl Acetate

• alpha,alpha Dimethylphenethyl Butyrate

• 2,3-Dimethylpyrazine

• 2,5-Dimethylpyrazine

• 2,6-Dimethylpyrazine

• Dimethyltetrahydrobenzofuranone

• delta-Dodecalactone

• gamma-Dodecalactone

• para-Ethoxybenzaldehyde

• Ethyl 10-Undecenoate

• Ethyl 2-Methylbutyrate

• Ethyl Acetate

• Ethyl Acetoacetate

• Ethyl Alcohol

• Ethyl Benzoate

• Ethyl Butyrate

• Ethyl Cinnamate

• Ethyl Decanoate

• Ethyl Fenchol

• Ethyl Furoate

• Ethyl Heptanoate

• Ethyl Hexanoate

• Ethyl Isovalerate

• Ethyl Lactate

• Ethyl Laurate

• Ethyl Levulinate

• Ethyl Maltol

• Ethyl Methyl Phenylglycidate

• Ethyl Myristate

• Ethyl Nonanoate

• Ethyl Octadecanoate

• Ethyl Octanoate

• Ethyl Oleate

• Ethyl Palmitate

• Ethyl Phenylacetate

• Ethyl Propionate

• Ethyl Salicylate

• Ethyl trans-2-Butenoate

• Ethyl Valerate

• Ethyl Vanillin

• 2-Ethyl (or Methyl)-(3,5 and 6)-Methoxypyrazine

• 2-Ethyl-1-Hexanol, 3-Ethyl -2 -

Hydroxy-2-Cyclopenten-1-One

• 2-Ethyl-3, (5 or 6)-Dimethylpyrazine

• 5-Ethyl-3-Hydroxy-4-Methyl-2 (5H)-Furanone

• 2-Ethyl-3-Methylpyrazine

• 4-Ethylbenzaldehyde

• 4-Ethylguaiacol

• para-Ethylphenol

• 3-Ethylpyridine

• Eucalyptol

• Farnesol

• D-Fenchone

• Fennel Sweet Oil

• Fenugreek, Extract, Resin, and Absolute

• Fig Juice Concentrate

• Food Starch Modified

• Furfuryl Mercaptan

• 4-(2-Furyl)-3-Buten-2-One

• Galbanum Oil

• Genet Absolute

• Gentian Root Extract

• Geraniol

• Geranium Rose Oil

• Geranyl Acetate

• Geranyl Butyrate

• Geranyl Formate

• Geranyl Isovalerate

• Geranyl Phenylacetate

• Ginger Oil and Oleoresin

• 1-Glutamic Acid

• 1-Glutamine

• Glycerol

• Glycyrrhizin Ammoniated

• Grape Juice Concentrate

• Guaiac Wood Oil

• Guaiacol

• Guar Gum

• 2,4-Heptadienal

• gamma-Heptalactone

• Heptanoic Acid

• 2-Heptanone

• 3-Hepten-2-One

• 2-Hepten-4-One

• 4-Heptenal

• trans -2-Heptenal

• Heptyl Acetate

• omega-6-Hexadecenlactone

• gamma-Hexalactone

• Hexanal

• Hexanoic Acid

• 2-Hexen-1-Ol

• 3-Hexen-1-Ol

• cis-3-Hexen-1-Yl Acetate

• 2-Hexenal

• 3-Hexenoic Acid

• trans-2-Hexenoic Acid

• cis-3-Hexenyl Formate

• Hexyl 2-Methylbutyrate

• Hexyl Acetate

• Hexyl Alcohol

• Hexyl Phenylacetate

• 1-Histidine

• Honey

• Hops Oil

• Hydrolyzed Milk Solids

• Hydrolyzed Plant Proteins

• 5-Hydroxy-2,4-Decadienoic Acid delta-Lactone

• 4-Hydroxy-2,5-Dimethyl-3(2H)-Furanone

• 2-Hydroxy-3,5,5-Trimethyl-2-Cyclohexen-1-One

• 4-Hydroxy -3-Pentenoic Acid Lactone

• 2-Hydroxy-4-Methylbenzaldehyde

• 4-Hydroxybutanoic Acid Lactone

• Hydroxycitronellal

• 6-Hydroxydihydrotheaspirane

• 4-(para-Hydroxyphenyl)-2-Butanone

• Hyssop Oil

• Immortelle Absolute and Extract

• alpha-Ionone

• beta-Ionone

• alpha-Irone

• Isoamyl Acetate

• Isoamyl Benzoate

• Isoamyl Butyrate

• Isoamyl Cinnamate

• Isoamyl Formate, IsoamylHexanoate

• Isoamyl Isovalerate

• Isoamyl Octanoate

• Isoamyl Phenylacetate

• Isobornyl Acetate

• Isobutyl Acetate

• Isobutyl Alcohol

• Isobutyl Cinnamate

• Isobutyl Phenylacetate

• Isobutyl Salicylate

• 2-Isobutyl-3-Methoxypyrazine

• alpha-Isobutylphenethyl Alcohol

• Isobutyraldehyde

• Isobutyric Acid

• d,l-Isoleucine

• alpha-Isomethylionone

• 2-Isopropylphenol

• Isovaleric Acid

• Jasmine Absolute, Concrete and Oil

• Kola Nut Extract

• Labdanum Absolute and Oleoresin

• Lactic Acid

• Lauric Acid

• Lauric Aldehyde

• Lavandin Oil

• Lavender Oil

• Lemon Oil and Extract

• Lemongrass Oil

• 1-Leucine

• Levulinic Acid

• Licorice Root, Fluid, Extract

and Powder

• Lime Oil

• Linalool

• Linalool Oxide

• Linalyl Acetate

• Linden Flowers

• Lovage Oil And Extract

• 1-Lysine]

• Mace Powder, Extract and Oil

• Magnesium Carbonate

• Malic Acid

• Malt and Malt Extract

• Maltodextrin

• Maltol

• Maltyl Isobutyrate

• Mandarin Oil

• Maple Syrup and Concentrate

• Mate Leaf, Absolute and Oil

• para-Mentha-8-Thiol-3-One

• Menthol

• Menthone

• Menthyl Acetate

• dl-Methionine

• Methoprene

• 2-Methoxy-4-Methylphenol

• 2-Methoxy-4-Vinylphenol

• para-Methoxybenzaldehyde

• 1-(para-Methoxyphenyl)-1-Penten-3-One

• 4-(para-Methoxyphenyl)-2-Butanone

• 1-(para-Methoxyphenyl)-2-Propanone

• Methoxypyrazine

• Methyl 2-Furoate

• Methyl 2-Octynoate

• Methyl 2-Pyrrolyl Ketone

• Methyl Anisate

• Methyl Anthranilate

• Methyl Benzoate

• Methyl Cinnamate

• Methyl Dihydrojasmonate

• Methyl Ester of Rosin, Partially Hydrogenated

• Methyl Isovalerate

• Methyl Linoleate (48%)

• Methyl Linolenate (52%) Mixture

• Methyl Naphthyl Ketone

• Methyl Nicotinate

• Methyl Phenylacetate

• Methyl Salicylate

• Methyl Sulfide

• 3-Methyl-1-Cyclopentadecanone

• 4-Methyl-1-Phenyl-2-Pentanone

• 5-Methyl-2-Phenyl-2-Hexenal

• 5-Methyl-2-Thiophene-carboxaldehyde

• 6-Methyl-3,-5-Heptadien-2-One

• 2-Methyl-3-(para-Isopropylphenyl) Propionaldehyde

• 5-Methyl-3-Hexen-2-One

• 1-Methyl-3Methoxy-4-Isopropylbenzene

• 4-Methyl-3-Pentene-2-One

• 2-Methyl-4-Phenylbutyraldehyde

• 6-Methyl-5-Hepten-2-One

• 4-Methyl-5-Thiazoleethanol

• 4-Methyl-5-Vinylthiazole

• Methyl-alpha-Ionone

• Methyl-trans-2-Butenoic Acid

• 4-Methylacetophenone

• para-Methylanisole

• alpha-Methylbenzyl Acetate

• alpha-Methylbenzyl Alcohol

• 2-Methylbutyraldehyde

• 3-Methylbutyraldehyde

• 2-Methylbutyric Acid

• alpha-Methylcinnamaldehyde

• Methylcyclopentenolone

• 2-Methylheptanoic Acid

• 2-Methylhexanoic Acid

• 3-Methylpentanoic Acid

• 4-Methylpentanoic Acid

• 2-Methylpyrazine

• 5-Methylquinoxaline

• 2-Methyltetrahydrofuran-3-One

• (Methylthio)Methylpyrazine (Mixture Of Isomers)

• 3-Methylthiopropionaldehyde

• Methyl 3-Methylthiopropionate

• 2-Methylvaleric Acid

• Mimosa Absolute and Extract

• Molasses Extract and Tincture

• Mountain Maple Solid Extract

• Mullein Flowers

• Myristaldehyde

• Myristic Acid

• Myrrh Oil

• beta-Napthyl Ethyl Ether

• Nerol

• Neroli Bigarde Oil

• Nerolidol

• Nona-2-trans,6-cis-Dienal

• 2,6-Nonadien-1-Ol

• gamma-Nonalactone

• Nonanal

• Nonanoic Acid

• Nonanone

• trans-2-Nonen-1-Ol

• 2-Nonenal

• Nonyl Acetate

• Nutmeg Powder and Oil

• Oak Chips Extract and Oil

• Oak Moss Absolute

• 9,12-Octadecadienoic Acid (48%)

And 9,12,15-Octadecatrienoic Acid (52%)

• delta-Octalactone

• gamma-Octalactone

• Octanal

• Octanoic Acid

• 1-Octanol

• 2-Octanone

• 3-Octen-2-One

• 1-Octen-3-Ol

• 1-Octen-3-Yl Acetate

• 2-Octenal

• Octyl Isobutyrate

• Oleic Acid

• Olibanum Oil

• Opoponax Oil And Gum

• Orange Blossoms Water, Absolute, and Leaf Absolute

• Orange Oil and Extract

• Origanum Oil

• Orris Concrete Oil and Root

Extract

• Palmarosa Oil

• Palmitic Acid

• Parsley Seed Oil

• Patchouli Oil

• omega-Pentadecalactone

• 2,3-Pentanedione

• 2-Pentanone

• 4-Pentenoic Acid

• 2-Pentylpyridine

• Pepper Oil, Black And White

• Peppermint Oil

• Peruvian (Bois De Rose) Oil

• Petitgrain Absolute, Mandarin Oil and Terpeneless Oil

• alpha-Phellandrene

• 2-Phenenthyl Acetate

• Phenenthyl Alcohol

• Phenethyl Butyrate

• Phenethyl Cinnamate

• Phenethyl Isobutyrate

• Phenethyl Isovalerate

• Phenethyl Phenylacetate

• Phenethyl Salicylate

• 1-Phenyl-1-Propanol

• 3-Phenyl-1-Propanol

• 2-Phenyl-2-Butenal

• 4-Phenyl-3-Buten-2-Ol

• 4-Phenyl-3-Buten-2-One

• Phenylacetaldehyde

• Phenylacetic Acid

• 1-Phenylalanine

• 3-Phenylpropionaldehyde

• 3-Phenylpropionic Acid

• 3-Phenylpropyl Acetate

• 3-Phenylpropyl Cinnamate

• 2-(3-Phenylpropyl)Tetrahydrofuran

• Phosphoric Acid

• Pimenta Leaf Oil

• Pine Needle Oil, Pine Oil, Scotch

• Pineapple Juice Concentrate

• alpha-Pinene, beta-Pinene

• D-Piperitone

• Piperonal

• Pipsissewa Leaf Extract

• Plum Juice

• Potassium Sorbate

• 1-Proline

• Propenylguaethol

• Propionic Acid

• Propyl Acetate

• Propyl para-Hydroxybenzoate

• Propylene Glycol

• 3-Propylidenephthalide

• Prune Juice and Concentrate

• Pyridine

• Pyroligneous Acid And Extract

• Pyrrole

• Pyruvic Acid

• Raisin Juice Concentrate

• Rhodinol

• Rose Absolute and Oil

• Rosemary Oil

• Rum

• Rum Ether

• Rye Extract

• Sage, Sage Oil, and Sage

Oleoresin

• Salicylaldehyde

• Sandalwood Oil, Yellow

• Sclareolide

• Skatole

• Smoke Flavor

• Snakeroot Oil

• Sodium Acetate

• Sodium Benzoate

• Sodium Bicarbonate

• Sodium Carbonate

• Sodium Chloride

• Sodium Citrate

• Sodium Hydroxide

• Solanone

• Spearmint Oil

• Styrax Extract, Gum and Oil

• Sucrose Octaacetate

• Sugar Alcohols

• Sugars

• Tagetes Oil

• Tannic Acid

• Tartaric Acid

• Tea Leaf and Absolute

• alpha-Terpineol

• Terpinolene

• Terpinyl Acetate

• 5,6,7,8-Tetrahydroquinoxaline

• 1,5,5,9-Tetramethyl-13-Oxatricyclo(8.3.0.0(4,9))Tridecane

• 2,3,4,5, and 3,4,5,6-

Tetramethylethyl-Cyclohexanone

• 2,3,5,6-Tetramethylpyrazine

• Thiamine Hydrochloride

• Thiazole

• 1-Threonine

• Thyme Oil, White and Red

• Thymol

• Tobacco Extracts

• Tochopherols (mixed)

• Tolu Balsam Gum and Extract

• Tolualdehydes

• para-Tolyl 3-Methylbutyrate

• para-Tolyl Acetaldehyde

• para-Tolyl Acetate

• para-Tolyl Isobutyrate

• para-Tolyl Phenylacetate

• Triacetin

• 2-Tridecanone

• 2-Tridecenal

• Triethyl Citrate

• 3,5,5-Trimethyl -1-Hexanol

• para,alpha,alpha-Trimethylbenzyl Alcohol

• 4-(2,6,6-Trimethylcyclohex-1-

Enyl)But-2-En-4-One

• 2,6,6-Trimethylcyclohex-2-

Ene-1,4-Dione

• 2,6,6-Trimethylcyclohexa-1,

3-Dienyl Methan

• 4-(2,6,6-Trimethylcyclohexa-1,

3-Dienyl)But-2-En-4-One

• 2,2,6-Trimethylcyclohexanone

• 2,3,5-Trimethylpyrazine

• 1-Tyrosine

• delta-Undercalactone

• gamma-Undecalactone

• Undecanal

• 2-Undecanone, 1

• 0-Undecenal

• Urea

• Valencene

• Valeraldehyde

• Valerian Root Extract, Oil

and Powder

• Valeric Acid

• gamma-Valerolactone

• Valine

• Vanilla Extract And Oleoresin

• Vanillin

• Veratraldehyde

• Vetiver Oil

• Vinegar

• Violet Leaf Absolute

• Walnut Hull Extract

• Water

• Wheat Extract And Flour

• Wild Cherry Bark Extract

• Wine and Wine Sherry

• Xanthan Gum

• 3,4-Xylenol

• Yeast