Smoking: Air Polluter And Health Hazard

Smoking is a major contributor to air pollution. Cigarette smoke contains thousands of chemicals, including carbon monoxide, benzene, formaldehyde, nicotine, phenol, hydrogen cyanide, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs). These chemicals are released into the air and can have harmful effects on both human health and the environment.

Cigarette smoke is classified into two types: mainstream smoke, which is inhaled directly by the smoker, and sidestream smoke, also known as second-hand smoke, which is inhaled by non-smokers. Sidestream smoke often contains higher concentrations of harmful substances and is considered more toxic than mainstream smoke.

The production and consumption of tobacco also have significant environmental impacts. Tobacco farming contributes to deforestation, soil degradation, and increased greenhouse gas emissions. The manufacturing process requires large amounts of water and energy, leading to water consumption and further emissions of greenhouse gases and particle pollution.

Additionally, cigarette butts, which are often made of plastic, are the most commonly littered item globally and can take up to 14 years to break down.

Overall, smoking has detrimental effects on air quality and public health, and efforts to reduce tobacco consumption and promote cleaner alternatives are crucial to mitigating these impacts.

Cigarette smoke produces 10 times more air pollution than diesel car exhaust

Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) produces fine particulate matter, which is the most dangerous element of air pollution for health. It can penetrate deep into the alveoli in the lungs, where carcinogens can cause the most damage. In addition, aldehydes released from cigarettes can damage plants and people's eyes and respiratory tracts. Nitric oxide, also produced by cigarettes, contributes to photochemical smog and drives ozone formation in cities.

The impact of cigarette smoke on air pollution is particularly notable indoors, as levels can far exceed those outdoors. This is due to new engine models and lead-free fuels that have significantly reduced particulate matter emissions from car exhausts. The high levels of indoor air pollution from cigarette smoke can have serious health consequences, especially for sensitive groups such as people with heart or lung diseases, children, and seniors.

The pollution generated by cigarettes extends beyond air quality. Cigarette butts, which are often littered, can pollute soil, beaches, and waterways. Studies have shown that organic compounds, pesticides, and heavy metals can seep from cigarette butts into aquatic ecosystems, causing toxic effects on fish and microorganisms. In addition, the tobacco industry's contribution to deforestation and the release of toxic chemicals during production further exacerbate the environmental impact of cigarette smoke.

Overall, the evidence suggests that cigarette smoke is a significant source of air pollution and has far-reaching consequences for both human health and the environment.

Cigarette smoke is a Group A carcinogen, making it one of the most dangerous cancer-causing agents

Cigarette smoke is a complex mixture of over 9500 chemical compounds, many of which are recognised as hazardous to human health. Over 70 of these compounds are known to cause, initiate or promote cancer and are called "carcinogens". The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies carcinogens into four groups based on the degree of evidence from scientific studies. Group 1 carcinogens have sufficient evidence in scientific studies in humans, animals and/or other relevant sources to show that the chemical is capable of causing the development or increasing the incidence of cancer. IARC has classified tobacco smoke as a Group 1 carcinogen.

Tobacco smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals, of which more than 70 are known to cause, initiate or promote cancer. These carcinogens belong to multiple chemical classes, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), N-nitrosamines, aromatic amines, aldehydes, volatile organic hydrocarbons, and metals. Each puff of each cigarette contains a mixture of thousands of compounds, including more than 60 well-established carcinogens.

The metabolic activation of carcinogens results in the formation of DNA adducts, which are absolutely central to the carcinogenic process. The metabolic activation of six carcinogens in tobacco smoke that are implicated in the formation of DNA adducts identified in human tissues is presented in the table below.

| Carcinogen | Metabolic Activation |

|---|---|

| PAHs | PAHs are metabolised to diol epoxides, which are further metabolised to highly mutagenic compounds. |

| N-nitrosamines | N-nitrosamines are metabolised to diazonium ions, which are potent carcinogens. |

| Aromatic amines | Aromatic amines are metabolised to nitrenium ions, which are highly reactive and can bind to DNA. |

| Aldehydes | Aldehydes can directly form DNA adducts without metabolic activation. |

| Volatile organic hydrocarbons | Volatile organic hydrocarbons can directly form DNA adducts without metabolic activation. |

| Metals | Metals can directly form DNA adducts without metabolic activation. |

Tobacco smoke is an aerosol, with 95% gas and 5% particles known as 'tar'

Tobacco smoke is an aerosol, with 95% gas and 5% particles known as tar. The gas phase contains gases and chemical constituents that are bound to aerosol particles or are free in the gas phase. The gas phase includes nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, acetaldehyde, methane, hydrogen cyanide, nitric acid, acetone, acrolein, ammonia, methanol, hydrogen sulfide, hydrocarbons, gas-phase nitrosamines, and carbonyl compounds. The particulate phase includes carboxylic acids, phenols, water, humectants, nicotine, terpenoids, paraffin waxes, tobacco-specific nitrosamines, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and catechols.

Sidestream smoke, also known as 'second-hand smoke', has higher concentrations of dangerous substances than mainstream smoke

Smoking is a major source of air pollution. It releases harmful chemicals and pollutants, including carcinogens, that can cause serious health issues. One of the most dangerous elements of air pollution is fine particulate matter, which is released from cigarettes in the form of sidestream smoke (also known as second-hand smoke) and mainstream smoke.

Sidestream smoke is the smoke emitted from the burning end of a cigarette, cigar, or pipe. It is a major source of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), which is the air pollution caused by the burning of tobacco products. On the other hand, mainstream smoke is the smoke that a smoker inhales and then exhales into the surrounding environment.

Research has found that sidestream smoke contains higher concentrations of certain chemicals and is more toxic than mainstream smoke. This is due to the incomplete burning of tobacco, which results in higher amounts of certain compounds in sidestream smoke. For example, sidestream smoke has higher levels of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, acrolein, and benzene. It also contains a higher concentration of fine particles that can more easily penetrate the tissues in our bodies and cause serious health issues such as aggravated asthma, nose and throat irritation, bronchitis, and lung damage.

The effects of sidestream smoke on the body are extensive. It damages the large and small airways in the lungs, decreases lung elasticity, and increases the risk of asthma and respiratory infections. It also affects the autonomic nervous system, which regulates the heart and influences blood pressure. Additionally, sidestream smoke promotes the build-up of plaque in arteries, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes.

Furthermore, sidestream smoke is a class A carcinogen, indicating it can cause cancer. It has been linked to an increased risk of lung cancer and may also increase the risk of breast cancer. The toxic particles in sidestream smoke, such as arsenic and cyanide, can settle on surfaces and linger for an extended period, even after the smoke has visually disappeared. This phenomenon is known as "thirdhand smoke" and poses a danger to people who may absorb these toxins through their skin.

In summary, while both sidestream and mainstream smoke have harmful effects on health, sidestream smoke contains higher concentrations of dangerous substances and poses a greater risk to both smokers and non-smokers nearby.

The tobacco lifecycle has a high carbon footprint and significant environmental impact, leading to widescale deforestation and the release of greenhouse gases

The tobacco lifecycle has a significantly negative environmental impact, causing widescale deforestation and the release of greenhouse gases.

Tobacco farming and curing are a "proximate cause" of deforestation, as land is cleared for agricultural use, and wood fuel is used for curing. By the mid-1990s, more than half of the 120 tobacco-growing low- and middle-income countries were losing a combined 211,000 hectares to deforestation annually. An estimated 11.4 million metric tons of wood are burned to cure tobacco each year, with tobacco farming using around 4.3 million hectares of land. This has a devastating impact on forests, with an estimated 200,000 hectares of forests and woodlands removed by tobacco farming every year.

The tobacco industry has long tried to downplay its role in deforestation, arguing that tobacco-attributable deforestation is not a serious problem and has been addressed through corporate social responsibility initiatives. However, evidence suggests that tobacco farming and curing account for about 4% of deforestation globally, and this figure rises to 18-30% in some low- and middle-income countries.

The manufacturing phase of the tobacco lifecycle also has a high carbon footprint and contributes to environmental harm. Cigarette factories, in particular, their air conditioning and electricity usage, contribute significantly to carbon emissions. The packaging of tobacco products, including small boxes and cartons, also has a notable impact on the industry's carbon footprint due to the use of raw materials. The estimated annual emissions produced by the tobacco manufacturing process are equivalent to the emissions of roughly 3 million transatlantic flights.

Additionally, the transport of tobacco leaf and products globally contributes to air pollution. The smoke from cigarettes also impacts the environment through the release of toxic emissions and greenhouse gases. Cigarette smoke produces fine particulate matter, which is the most dangerous element of air pollution for health.

Frequently asked questions