Tobacco smoke contains more than 4000 chemical compounds. Many of these agents are toxic, and more than 50 - including polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and tobacco-specific nitrosamines - cause cancer.

Tobacco smoke contains more than 4000 chemical compounds. Many of these agents are toxic, and more than 50 - including polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and tobacco-specific nitrosamines - cause cancer. See also the Safety section for more information.

1. US Department of Health and Human Services. The Health Consequences of Smoking: A Report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta, GA: US Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health, 2004. http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/sgr/sgr_2004/index.htm