What is nicotine?

• A chemical substance found in tobacco leaves
• Has a long history of use as an inebriant and stimulant
• The subsstance that makes smoking addictive

What's in tobacco smoke?

In addition to nicotine, there are more than 4,000 chemicals in tobacco smoke. These include: 

• Tar -  the black, sticky substance that damages your lungs
• Carbon monoxide - the gas takes the place of some of the oxygen in your bloodstream

Some of the other chemicals found in cigarettes (and some of their other uses) are:

• ammonia (household cleaning agent)
• acetone (nail polish remover)
• naphthalene (mothballs)
• methanol (rocket fuel)
• formaldehyde (which preserves the dead)
• phenol (disinfectant)
• hydrogen cyanide
• metals (76 metals including arsenic,cadmium, nickel)
• radioactive compounds (polonium-210 and potassium-40)
• acetic acid (vinegar)
• toluene (industrial solvent)
• pesticides.

More info

Contact: ACON Alcohol and Other Drugs Program

Tel: (02) 9206 2081
Free Call: 1800 063 060
Hearing Impaired: (02) 9283 2088

Email: aod@acon.org.au