Here is the info the Canadian government uses as part of it's non-smoking 
campaign aimed at teens, it says it like it is.. Sometimes looking at it in the 
simplest form helps the most.
Annie VerSteeg IBCLC

 
When you smoke you're saying yes to: 
 
Tar 
Wonder why smokers' fingers have those yellowish brown stains? One word: tar. 
This is the black, sticky stuff that carries the many toxic chemicals to your 
lungs. Tar not only leaves stains on smoker's teeth, fingers and lung tissue, 
it's also the main cause of throat and lung cancer. 

 
Nicotine
Nicotine is the drug responsible for making cigarettes so addictive. It makes 
your body crave more cigarettes and that means inhaling all those gross 
chemicals. Studies have shown that the nicotine habit can be as hard to break as 
heroin or cocaine addiction. 
Within seven seconds of inhaling on a cigarette, the nicotine reaches your 
brain, stimulating the nervous system, increasing heart rate, raising blood 
pressure and constricting small blood vessels under the skin, (which can cause 
wrinkles, by the way). 
 
Benzene
Benzene was once used in industry to manufacture inks, rubber, lacquers and 
paint remover and is highly toxic. As a chemical, benzene is confirmed to cause 
cancer/leukemia in humans and is therefore not suitable for industrial 
applications let alone your body! 
 
Carbon Monoxide 
Let's make one thing clear -- experts say there is NO safe amount of carbon 
monoxide. That's why many new houses come equipped with carbon monoxide 
detectors. What does carbon monoxide do to you? This poisonous gas reduces the amount 
of oxygen taken up by your red blood cells. This means less oxygen for your 
organs, like your heart and lungs. Ever notice how smokers get winded going up 
a flight of stairs? 
 
Hydrogen Cyanide 
Consider this: hydrogen cyanide is the poison used in gas chambers -- it's an 
efficient killer. In smaller doses like those found in cigarettes, it damages 
tiny hairs in your body that are part of your natural lung cleaning 
mechanism. As a result, toxic substances can build up in your lungs. 
 
Formaldehyde 
Formaldehyde is used in -- get this -- embalming fluid used to preserve dead 
bodies. If that doesn't turn you off smoking, what will? Then there's the 
matter of health. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen (cancer causing substance). 
 
...and more!
  


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