The other chemicals found in a cigarette include:
• Benzene, a gasoline additive found in paints, paint thinners, adhesives and plastics. You can be exposed to benzene fumes while pumping gas.
• Asbestos, It is found in acoustic ceiling tiles, floor tiles, textured paint, exterior siding and appliances. Asbestos is only dangerous when its fibres become loose or when the material crumbles, which causes small particles to be set free and inhaled. Once inhaled, the microscopic fibres remain in the body forever. Asbestos can cause lung and bowel cancer, mesothelioma, asbestosis and other lung diseases. The risk of disease is believed to increase with smoking.
• Vinyl chloride and its derivative polyvinyl chloride (PVC). These plastic resins found in many products, including pipes, hoses, flooring, windows and credit cards. The greatest risk is to workers in these industries who manufacture and handle these products daily. High levels also are found in the materials used in the interiors of new cars, making that "new-car smell" potentially dangerous.
• Pesticides. While pesticide levels in foods are relatively harmless, pesticides used in your home or on your lawn may be dangerous because of the large quantities used. In some studies, farmers with high exposure to pesticides were found to have a higher risk of several different cancers, including leukaemia.
• Formaldehyde. This can be a component of many products including cosmetics, paper, textiles and drugs. Formaldehyde initially was found to cause nasal cancer in rats. Since then, there has been considerable controversy as to the role of formaldehyde in causing cancer in humans.
Lung cancer is one of the numerous cancers that can form because of smoking. 9 out of 10 lung cancer patients are/were smokers. There are many types of cancers that can arise due to smoking. For example: lung cancer, mouth cancer, sinus cancer, oesophagus cancer, brain cancer, breast cancer, uterus cancer, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, leukaemia and lymph gland cancer.
The effects of smoking are summarised in the table below:
Cilia
Smoking damages the cilia that line the trachea, bronchi and bronchioles). They become unable to sweep irritating particles and bacteria away from the lungs. Prolonged exposure to tobacco can cause cilia to be destroyed completely.
Bronchitis
Bronchitis is a common disease among smokers. It is caused by the build up of mucus in the lungs. Bacteria get trapped in the mucus which results in frequent infections. People suffering from chronic bronchitis often develop complications which can cause death.
Chronic Obstructive Airway Disease (COAD)
This another disease linked to smoking. The disease involves two related conditions; narrowing of the air passages and emphysema.
Narrowing of the Air Passages
The diameter of the bronchioles becomes smaller, restricting the flow of air. Eventually air passages may become completely blocked and bronchioles destroyed.
Emphysema
This is when the walls of the alveoli break down, forming fewer, larger air sacs. This reduces surface area for oxygen to be passed through into the circulatory system.
In COAD, the ability to absorb oxygen is greatly reduced. As thee disease progresses, it becomes harder for the sufferer to lead a normal life as they would get exhausted by the slightest task. Prolonged shortage of oxygen can lead to heart failure and other fatal problems.
Smoking in pregnancy
Oxygen and food are vital to a developing human embryo. Smoking can partially deprive it of both these factors. Smoking is a frequent cause of early miscarriage in pregnancy. Babies born to mothers who smoke are more likely to be born premature and underweight. Babies of mothers who smoke are more likely to have respiratory illnesses such as bronchitis and colds. The risk of cot death in the first 6 months of life for such babies is three times greater in a home where either parent is a smoker.
The effects of smoking on an unborn child are shown below:
