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Tobacco Fact
The chemical nicotine found in cigarettes and other tobacco products is an addictive drug, which is why it is so hard for people to quit using tobacco once they start. Nicotine is also a deadly poison used in many bug sprays. It is so potent that one drop (70 mg) in its liquid form will kill an average adult!



There are over 4,000 chemicals in cigarette smoke.
A cigarette is 40% tobacco and 60% poison.

Just some of the chemicals found in tobacco smoke:

  • Acetone - nail polish remover
  • Acetic Acid - vinegar
  • Ammonia - floor/toilet cleaner
  • Arsenic - rat poison
  • Butane - cigarette lighter fluid
  • Cadmium - rechargeable batteries
  • Carbon Monoxide - car exhaust fumes
  • DDT/Dieldrin - Insecticides
  • Ethanol - Alcohol
  • Formaldehyde - preserver for dead bodies
  • Hexamine - barbecue lighter
  • Hydrazine - rocket fuel & jet engines
  • Hydrogen Cyanide - gas chamber poison
  • Methane - swamp gas
  • Methanol - rocket fuel
  • Naphthalene - mothballs
  • Nicotine - insecticide/ addictive drug
  • Nitric Acid - fertilizers, explosives, & jets
  • Nitrobenzene - gasoline additive
  • Nitrous Oxide - laughing gas
  • Phenols - disinfectant
  • Stearic Acid - candle wax
  • Toluene - industrial solvent
  • Vinyl Chloride - PVC pipes

© American Cancer Society

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SmokeFree Dutchess is a community partnership with the American Cancer Society (ACS); the American Heart Association (AHA); the American Lung Association (ALA); the Dutchess County Department of Health; the Dutchess County Medical Society; Council on Addiction Prevention & Education of Dutchess County, Inc (CAPE); Vassar Brothers Medical Center; Saint Francis Hospital and Health Centers; community based organizations, physicians, businesses, schools, and Dutchess County residents.