What’s Really Inside Cigarette Smoke?

Cigarette smoke carries more than 7,000 chemicals into your lungs and from there, into your bloodstream and throughout your body. Nicotine rapidly reaches the brain and trains its reward system to demand another cigarette, turning a repeated choice into an automatic cycle of cravings. Meanwhile, carbon monoxide reduces the oxygen carried by your blood, and other toxic chemicals damage blood vessels that supply the brain. Over time, smoking increases the risk of stroke, cognitive decline, and dementia. The damage is not limited to your lungs, every puff affects the organ responsible for your memory, decisions, emotions, and identity.