What's in a Cigarette

You may have read about the harmful effects of nicotine, tar and carbon monoxide in a newspaper, maybe even on your pack of cigarettes or pouch of tobacco. But you probably don't know that they're just three of over 4,000 chemicals in tobacco smoke or that tar is a mixture of many other chemicals and that at least 50 chemicals found in tobacco smoke are known to cause cancer. Three new toxic chemicals are being added to the list on your pack of cigarettes – benzene, formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide.

Traditionally, nicotine, tar and carbon monoxide have been listed on cigarette packs. The emission level of these toxic chemicals was indicated as a single amount – for example, ‘Tar 14 mg.' The new Tobacco Products Information Regulations now require manufacturers to print information on the emission levels of six toxic chemicals. This information is presented in the form of a range (a low number and a high number). This range reflects the fact that people smoke differently and may inhale different levels of the toxic chemicals – for example, ‘Tar 14-34 mg.'

No doubt it's tough to quit smoking. Life on the whole can be pretty challenging at times, too. You CAN do it. And you WILL feel much better for it.

>> What's in a Cigarette

>> Women and Quitting Smoking

>> Benefits of Quitting Smoking

>> Secondary Benefits of Quitting Smoking

>> Second-Hand Smoke

>> Second-Hand Smoke Facts

>> Controlling Second-Hand Smoke