Health Canada has identified the top 6 toxins present in tobacco smoke that are likely to cause harm in humans:
Tar – a sticky black residue containing hundreds of chemicals, many of which are carcinogenic or classified as hazardous waste.
Nicotine – occurs naturally in tobacco plants but it’s highly addictive and is also used as an herbicide and insecticide.
Carbon Monoxide – a deadly gas the reduces the ability of red blood cells to deliver oxygen to tissues causing most of its damage to your heart, brain and lungs.
Formaldehyde – a probable human carcinogen and registered pesticide.
Hydrogen Cyanide – one of the most toxic agents in tobacco smoke. Many of the short and long-term effects of cigarette smoke have been associated with this chemical.
Benzene – This is a Group 1 carcinogen and has been declared toxic by the Canadian Environmental Act. Benzene is believed to be harmful at any level of exposure.
Source: Clinical Tobacco Intervention Bulletin, Nov 2008, Vol 7, No 2, pg 4.
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