October 1, 2017

 

Continuing the discussion on how harmful tobacco truly is:

 

6. Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)
These are a group of substances made up of multiple benzene rings.

Tobacco smoke contains over 20 types of PAHs, including pyrene, benzopyrene, and anthracene.

These compounds are not only carcinogenic, but as mentioned earlier, also serve as precursors for reactive oxygen species.

 

7. Dioxins
Dioxins are produced during the low-temperature combustion of

chlorinated and organic compounds.

The combustion of tobacco—especially in the generation of sidestream smoke—provides optimal conditions for the formation of dioxins, due to the presence of chlorine-based additives.

As is widely known, dioxins are carcinogenic and, even in trace amounts, act as endocrine disruptors with harmful effects on living organisms.

The concentration of dioxins in tobacco smoke is extremely high—three to eighteen times higher than the levels found in waste incinerator emissions.

People who oppose the construction of waste incinerators in their neighborhoods should first quit smoking and stop their family members from smoking as a priority.

 

8. Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Mainstream tobacco smoke contains 30,000 to 40,000 ppm (3–4%) of

carbon monoxide.

This is a higher concentration than that found in the exhaust fumes of idling cars (typically less than 1%).

Smokers do not die from carbon monoxide poisoning only because their exposure is intermittent.

Even when not smoking immediately, exhaled breath from smokers often contains more than 10 ppm of carbon monoxide, which exceeds indoor air quality standards.

In fact, many patients visiting our smoking cessation clinic have carbon monoxide levels above 10 ppm.

Carbon monoxide binds strongly to hemoglobin in red blood cells, preventing hemoglobin from carrying oxygen.

As a result, oxygen is no longer effectively transported through the bloodstream, leading to oxygen deficiency in organs throughout the body, including the brain, heart, and kidneys.

To compensate for the lack of oxygen, the heart overworks to circulate more blood, resulting in strain that can lead to angina or myocardial infarction.

At the same time, the body increases red blood cell production in an attempt to transport more oxygen, resulting in polycythemia (a condition with too many red blood cells), which causes the blood to become thicker and more prone to clotting.

In popular terms, the blood becomes “sludgy.”
This leads to the occurrence of strokes and heart attacks.

 

9. Additives
According to reports submitted by JT (Japan Tobacco Inc.),

approximately 600 types of additives are involved in the formation of

harmful substances in tobacco smoke.

These additives are mixed into tobacco leaves and paper with the aim of making it easier to start and continue smoking, while also enhancing nicotine dependency.

Even additives that are originally harmless can transform into dangerous substances when burned.

 

To be continued