How many toxic substances does a cigarette contain?

The Mexican Social Security Institute ( IMSS ) defines tobacco as a silent enemy of health, since its consumption, especially industrialized cigarettes, triggers multiple negative effects on people's bodies.

In the May issue of IMSS Family Magazine, the institute explains the amount of substances this product contains, as well as its health effects.

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The Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) points out that smoking inhales more than 7,000 chemical substances, of which at least 250 are toxic, and more than 70 are directly linked to the development of cancer. Some of their names are tar, carbon monoxide, ammonia, formaldehyde, and arsenic.

These substances not only harm the person smoking, but also the people around them, known as passive smokers.

The negative effects are triggered even if you are only exposed for a short period of time.

Among these substances, nicotine stands out. It is highly addictive and acts on the central nervous system, releasing dopamine, which generates a momentary, short-lived pleasure. This process reinforces the dependence, as it generates anxiety to use the product again.

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According to the publication, in the short term, smoking can cause throat and airway irritation, increased heart rate and blood pressure, decreased blood oxygenation, bad breath, stained teeth and fingers, as well as coughing and difficulty breathing.

Long-term consequences include:

Development of heart diseases such as hypertension, heart attacks or strokes
Different types of cancer, such as lung, mouth or throat cancer
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), emphysema, and bronchitis
Fertility problems and pregnancy complications
Premature aging and loss of skin elasticity

The Mexican Social Security Institute emphasizes that there is no "safe" level of exposure to tobacco smoke. Although quitting smoking is a significant challenge, medical treatment, psychological therapy, and support programs are some of the methods for achieving it.

Breathing secondhand smoke causes nearly 1.3 million deaths each year. In addition, tobacco is responsible for more than 8 million deaths annually worldwide.

With information from IMSS Family Magazine

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