Tobacco smoke

Tobacco smoke is an aerosol of particles and gases produced by burning tobacco and other cigarette materials. Its composition changes as smoke cools, ages, and interacts with air.

Combustion: Combustion is a rapid chemical reaction between a fuel and an oxidant that releases heat and often light. Burning tobacco and cigarette materials generates the heat, gases, and particles in smoke.
Nicotine: Nicotine is an alkaloid in tobacco that activates nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and causes dependence. It occurs in smoke and drives much of tobacco's dependence-forming effect.
Secondhand smoke: Secondhand smoke is the mixture of smoke emitted by tobacco products and smoke exhaled by users. It is the exposure created when tobacco smoke contaminates shared air.
Lung cancer: Lung cancer is a malignant growth arising in the tissues of the lungs. Carcinogens in tobacco smoke cause most lung cancer cases.
Pyrolysis: Pyrolysis is the chemical decomposition of materials by heat, usually with limited oxygen. Heated tobacco decomposes into compounds that contribute to smoke before or alongside full burning.
Carbon monoxide: Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas produced by incomplete combustion. It is a gaseous smoke constituent that reduces blood oxygen delivery by binding hemoglobin.
Thirdhand smoke: Thirdhand smoke is tobacco-related residue that remains on indoor surfaces and in dust after smoking. Some smoke chemicals persist indoors after airborne smoke has dispersed.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a progressive lung disease that restricts airflow. Long-term tobacco smoke exposure is its leading cause.
Particulate matter: Particulate matter is a mixture of airborne solid particles and liquid droplets. The visible aerosol fraction of tobacco smoke consists of suspended particles and droplets.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are chemicals composed of multiple fused aromatic rings, formed by incomplete combustion. This family includes carcinogens formed when tobacco materials burn.

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