Tobacco / Nicotine

Cigarettes

Combustible tobacco products.

Overview

Cigarettes are combustible products in which tobacco is burned and the resulting smoke is inhaled. They are widely recognised as harmful to health.

Production method

Cured tobacco is shredded, blended with additives, and rolled into paper tubes with a filter.

Quality indicators

Tobacco blend
Paper and filter
Tar/nicotine yield (machine-measured)

Composition

Product type: Combustible tobacco product

Quality features

Operating principle: Tobacco is burned
Output generated: Smoke
Temperature range: Combustion temperature ~600–900°C during burning

Core emissions

Nicotine: Released through tobacco smoke
Tar / total particulate matter: Particulate matter formed from combustion smoke
Carbon monoxide (CO): Formed mainly through incomplete combustion
Carbon dioxide (CO₂): Formed during combustion
Nitrogen oxides (NOx): Formed during high-temperature combustion
Ammonia: May be present in tobacco smoke
Hydrogen cyanide (HCN): Formed during combustion of nitrogen-containing tobacco components
Sulfur dioxide (SO₂): May form during combustion

Particulates

PM2.5: Fine particles present in smoke
Ultrafine particles: Formed in combustion smoke
Soot / black carbon: Formed through combustion

PAHs

Benzo[a]pyrene: PAH formed during combustion
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs): Formed mainly through high-temperature combustion

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

Benzene: VOC formed during combustion
1,3-butadiene: Combustion-related VOC
Toluene: VOC present in smoke
Isoprene: VOC present in smoke
Acrylonitrile: VOC formed during combustion
Styrene: VOC present in smoke
Ethylbenzene: VOC present in smoke
Xylene: VOC present in smoke

Carbonyls

Formaldehyde: Carbonyl formed during combustion and thermal degradation
Acetaldehyde: Carbonyl present in smoke
Acrolein: Toxic carbonyl formed during combustion
Crotonaldehyde: Carbonyl present in smoke
Propionaldehyde: Aldehyde present in smoke
Butyraldehyde: Aldehyde present in smoke
Glyoxal: Reactive carbonyl present in smoke
Methylglyoxal: Reactive carbonyl present in smoke
Acetone: Volatile carbonyl present in smoke

Phenolics

Phenol: Phenolic compound formed during combustion
Catechol: Phenolic compound present in smoke
Hydroquinone: Phenolic compound present in smoke
Cresols: Phenolic compounds formed during combustion

Nitrogen-containing compounds

Pyridine: Nitrogen-containing compound present in smoke
Quinoline: Nitrogen-containing compound present in smoke
Furan: Volatile compound formed during heating and combustion
Acrylamide: May form during high-temperature combustion

Tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs)

NNK: Tobacco-specific nitrosamine present in tobacco smoke
NNN: Tobacco-specific nitrosamine present in tobacco smoke
NAT: Tobacco-specific nitrosamine present in tobacco smoke
NAB: Tobacco-specific nitrosamine present in tobacco smoke

Metals & trace elements

Cadmium: Metal transferred from tobacco into smoke and ash
Lead: May be present in tobacco smoke and ash
Arsenic: Trace element may be present in tobacco smoke
Chromium: May be present in smoke particles
Nickel: May be present in smoke particles
Mercury: Trace metal may be present depending on tobacco source
Copper: Trace metal may be present in smoke particles
Zinc: Trace metal may be present in smoke particles
Aluminium: Trace metal may be present in smoke particles
Iron: Trace metal may be present in smoke particles

Other constituents

Glycerol degradation products: May form if glycerol or humectants are burned
Propylene glycol degradation products: May form if propylene glycol is present and burned
Other VOCs: Broad group of volatile organic compounds in smoke
Other semi-volatile organic compounds: Present in smoke particulate and gas phases

Consumer usage

Used by adults; strongly discouraged due to known health risks.

Regulatory notes

Heavily regulated worldwide: age restrictions, advertising bans, plain packaging, public-use restrictions, high excise tax.