Quit Smoking Center

P.O. Box 3085
McLean, VA 22103
USA

Tel: 1-800-391-6004

(703) 242-7697

Fax: (703) 242-7698

Tobacco leaves have complex chemicals in them well over 4,500 to be more precise. When tobacco is smoked, the chemicals that are not taken into the body are being chemically transformed into new combinations. Some of the chemicals produced by smoking are:
 

• Arsenic
   

• Ammonia
   

• Hydrogen Sulfide
   

• Hydrogen Cyanide and other Hydrocarbons
   

One extremely dangerous by product of smoking is: Carbon Monoxide (identical to the exhaust from your car).

Carbon Monoxide as a molecule has a closer affinity to hemoglobin than the oxygen molecule, in plain English, carbon monoxide replaces oxygen in the body. Cigarette smoke contains between 1 and 3 percent carbon monoxide. Experiments show that when smoking only one pack of cigarettes within an 8 hour period of time it results in a 7 to 15 percent carbon monoxide saturation of the blood! This reduces the amount of available oxygen in the body and hinders muscle action and mental function. The carbon monoxide literally "starves" the body of, which is so vital to our survival.

Individuals who are already experiencing effects from smoking through lung diseases such as emphysema, pneumonia, asthma, and congestive heart failure, and are functioning at a diminished lung capacity, are a tremendous risk group