New York State Smokers' Quitline

Chemicals in Cigarettes

Over 4,000 chemical combinations occur when a cigarette is lit.  A pack-a-day smoker (20 cigarettes every day) will take in about 75,000 doses of these chemicals in one year. Here's a partial list:

Additives

Cancer Causing Chemicals

Metals

  • Acetone
    Nail Polish Remover
  • Acetic Acid
    Vinegar
  • Ammonia
    Floor/Toilet Cleaner
  • Arsenic
    Poison
  • Butane
    Cigarette Lighter Fluid
  • Cadmium
    Rechargeable Battery
  • Carbon Monoxide
    Car Exhaust
  • DDT /Dieldrin
    Insecticides
  • Ethanol
    Alcohol
  • Formaldehyde
    Body Tissue Preservative
  • Hexamine
    Barbecue Lighter
  • Hydrogen Cyanide
    Gas Chamber Poison
  • Methane
    Swamp Gas
  • Methanol
    Rocket Fuel
  • Naphthalene
    Mothballs
  • Nicotine
    Insecticide/Addictive Drug
  • Nitrobenzene
    Gasoline Additive
  • Nitrous Oxide
    Phenols
    Disinfectant
  • Stearic Acid
    Candle Wax
  • Toluene
    Industrial Solvent
  • Vinyl Chloride
    Makes PVC2
  • Nitrosamines
  • Chrysene
  • Cadmium
  • Benzo(a)pyrene
  • Polonium 210
  • Nickel
  • P.A.H.S
  • Dibenz Acidine
  • B-Napthylamine
  • Urethane
  • Nitrosonornicotine
  • Toluidine
  • Aluminum
  • Zinc
  • Magnesium
  • Mercury
  • Gold
  • Silicon
  • Silver
  • Titanium
  • Lead
  • Copper