Burning tobacco releases thousands of substances, many of which are toxic, originating from the tobacco itself or induced by chemical reactions related to its combustion. Tobacco smoke is a source of pollution composed of three different streams, characterized by specific chemicals. There is the primary stream, the secondary stream, and the tertiary stream. The primary stream is the smoke that the smoker inhales directly. It is filtered and exhaled by the smoker.<\/p>\n
Sidestream refers to the smoke that emanates from the cigarette between puffs. It comes from the glowing tip, the smoke that passes through the paper, and the smoke that emanates from the end of the filter when it is no longer on the smoker's lips.
\nThe smoke released between puffs is much more dangerous than the smoke inhaled by the smoker himself because it contains more toxic substances (carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, etc.) and carcinogens. Combustion releases a complex mixture of gases and fine particles composed of more than 4,000 different elements, including more than 43 carcinogens, including benzene, butadiene, nitrosamines, and formaldehyde.<\/p>\n
The tertiary current corresponds to the smoke exhaled by the smoker. It is environmental tobacco smoke that has oxidized with nitrous acid present in the environment to create carcinogens. The chemicals released by cigarette smoke react with the chemical constituents of fabrics and materials present inside the home (curtains, sofas, etc.).<\/p>\n
Tobacco smoke inhaled involuntarily is just as dangerous as that inhaled by a smoker: it is passive smoking.<\/p>\n