Health library

What's in cigarette smoke?

Arsenic? Yep. Formaldehyde? That too.

Here’s a more complete list of the chemicals you breathe in with cigarette smoke—many that are linked to cancer.

ACETONE

Found in nail polish remover.

ACETIC ACID

Found in hair dye.

AMMONIA

Used in household cleaners.

ARSENIC

Found in rat poison and pesticides. Known to cause cancer.

BENZENE

Found in rubber cement and gasoline. Known to cause cancer.

BUTANE

Found in lighter fluid.

CADMIUM

Found in batteries. Known to cause cancer.

CARBON MONOXIDE

Found in car exhaust fumes.

FORMALDEHYDE

Used in embalming fluid. Known to cause cancer.

HEXAMINE

Found in barbecue lighter fluid.

HYDROGEN CYANIDE

Used as a chemical weapon.

LEAD

Found in batteries. May cause cancer.

METHANOL

Found in rocket fuel and antifreeze.

NAPHTHALENE

Found in mothballs. May cause cancer.

NICOTINE

Used as an insecticide.

TOLUENE

Used to make paint thinners. May cause cancer.

Your healthier future awaits! See how your health starts improving as soon as you quit smoking.

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Sources: American Lung Association; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services