Cigarettes contain only about 2,500 substances, but during the combustion process, they are transformed into 4,000 substances, and of those 4,000 substances, as many as 70 can cause cancer.
Some typical carcinogens include CO, HCN, formaldehyde, lead, arsenic, and benzene. These substances are often found in chemicals used in cleaning products, pesticides, or embalming fluids. When smoking, most of these substances are inhaled through the smoke, and not only smokers but also those around them who inhale the smoke are similarly affected.
Tobacco smoke, containing these harmful substances, accumulates over time in the respiratory tract as a solid substance called tar or tobacco resin when inhaled. Tar is sticky and viscous; when it coats the cilia in the lungs, it reduces the cilia's function of expelling mucus.
Thus, not only mucus from cigarette smoke, but other harmful substances also easily enter the body of smokers through the respiratory tract. Substances from cigarette smoke can also travel through the bloodstream to other parts of the body, so smokers not only suffer from respiratory diseases but also face risks of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, dental problems, and even impaired fertility… Not only smokers, but also those around them are at risk of health problems from inhaling cigarette smoke, often referred to as "passive smoking".
It's important to note that the toxins from cigarette smoke aren't just in the visible smoke we see; they can also be present in the smoker's breath or linger in the air in confined spaces. Therefore, simply avoiding cigarette smoke isn't enough.
Nicotine is less harmful than the aforementioned compounds, but it is addictive, making it very difficult for smokers to quit.
When smoking, the nicotine in the smoke takes only 10 seconds to reach the brain. There, receptors receive the nicotine, producing dopamine, which creates a feeling of euphoria and pleasure for the smoker, increasing heart rate and potentially reducing stress. However, like other addictive substances, this feeling is only temporary; as soon as it wears off, the smoker's body craves more nicotine to regain the previous sensation.
The longer you smoke, the more dependent your body becomes on nicotine. The number of nicotine receptors in the brain gradually increases with time spent smoking. Therefore, the effects of nicotine are shorter for long-term smokers, leading them to constantly crave more. This is the biggest reason why many addicts cannot quit smoking.
Source: https://soyte.camau.gov.vn/bai-khoa-hoc-chinh-tri-va-xa-hoi/nicotine-chat-gay-nghien-trong-thuoc-la-292298
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