Ever stop and think about why regular cigarettes are considered to be dangerous? Is it mind numbing to think about the literally thousands of chemical substances, many of which are known to cause cancer?
Over the years, much research has been done to study the chemical composition of traditional smokes. Much of the buzz surrounding e-cigarettes is that they offer a safer alternative – which is true when comparing the chemical composition of each.
On one hand, nicotine liquid for e-cigarettes contains only a few substances, most of which are relatively harmless. Propylene glycol is the most prevalent, and is a substance found in many foods for example. The actual nicotine is considered to be the worst substance in e-cigarettes, especially in terms of addiction.
But experts agree that as long as you don’t ingest nicotine liquid directly, the substance is no more harmful than caffeine.
Regular cigarettes on the other hand contain literally thousands of chemicals. Over 599 chemicals are approved by the U.S. Government for use in e-cigarettes. But when you light up, the burning causes some chemicals to change their composition…meaning, when you smoke, you’re actually ingesting some 4000 chemicals into your body!!
Of these, 69 are known carcinogens, or cancer-causing agents. Some of the most harmful include:
- Acetone – found in nail polish remover
- Ammonia – found in toilet bowl cleaner and other cleaning agents
- Arsenic – found in rat poison and other insecticides
- Benzene – found in paint stripper/mineral spirits
- Cadmium – found in batteries
- Carbon monoxide – commonly found in car exhaust
- Hydrogen Cyanide – a substance used in gas chambers
- Toluene – found in many industrial solvents
To list all of the harmful chemicals in cigarettes would take all day…just listing a few though should give anyone pause, especially if they’re a smoker.
Batteries, cleaning solvents, nail polish remover? Yuck!! Most of us don’t relish the thought of ingesting those substances.
But when you smoke, you’re certainly ingesting very dangerous components of these substances (…and more).
Next time you and/or a friend are smoking, think about these substances and what your body is ingesting. Doing so may prompt you to quit or seek less dangerous alternatives, like electronic cigarettes.
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