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Is it nicotine the harmful agent in cigarettes or is it the smoke, tar and other byproducts of combustion?
by billfruit 8y ago
Is it nicotine the harmful agent in cigarettes or is it the smoke, tar and other byproducts of combustion?
- sosilkj 8y agonicotine is harmful, though it is not the primary harmful agent in cigarettes. that said, it is an immunosuppresant and there have been studies linking nicotine with cancer. Known carcinogens present in cigarettes: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/tobacco/cessation-fact-sheet#q1 https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/t...
- billfruit 8y agoThe list of carcinogens in link(or in Wikipedia) does not include Nictone. However, nicotine is a stimulant and can be addiction inducing.
- sosilkj 8y agoresearch is ongoing. https://tobacco.ucsf.edu/cellular-evidence-how-nicotine-and-e-cigarettes-increase-cancer-risk-humans-and-mice https://tobacco.ucsf.edu/cellular-evidence-how-nicotine-and-...
- rusk 8y agoNicotine is a poison. It’s the active agent in deadly nightshade. In horticultural circles it’s used in raw form as a highly effective pesticide. It’s highly concentrated in tomatoes vines and potato plants, and if you eat these, or even the edible parts when they’re green you’ll be sick! That’s not to say it’s the most toxic aspect of tobacco, but it can’t be good. These plants are all related by the way. The Simpson’s ”Tomacco” episode isn’t so far fetched!
- stefan_ 8y agoCaffeine is also a toxic nerve agent. The dose makes the poison, and for humans generally, it's much too large to be of any risk. Not to mention its working principle is perfectly well understood.