Combustible cigarettes represent the traditional and most prevalent form of tobacco consumption, having been widely used globally for centuries. These products are designed for direct ignition, where the tobacco material is burned, and the resulting smoke is inhaled. The act of smoking a combustible cigarette involves a unique consumption method that sets it apart from other tobacco products.
Defining Combustible Cigarettes
A combustible cigarette is a slender cylinder typically containing finely cut tobacco, encased in thin paper. The user ignites one end, causing the tobacco to smolder, and then inhales the smoke from the opposite end. This process of smoldering, known as combustion, distinguishes these cigarettes from other tobacco products. During combustion, the cigarette’s burning tip can reach temperatures exceeding 800°C, and even higher during a puff, sometimes up to 900°C. The tobacco, paper, and sometimes a filter, all contribute to the creation of smoke and ash as the material converts during the process.
Chemicals Released by Combustion
When a combustible cigarette burns, it generates a complex mixture of over 7,000 chemicals. This extensive array of substances is primarily created by the high temperatures of combustion, which cause the tobacco and additives to undergo pyrolysis, pyrosynthesis, and other chemical reactions. Among the thousands of compounds, approximately 100 are recognized as toxic, and at least 70 are known carcinogens.
Prominent harmful substances include tar, a sticky brown substance that accumulates in the lungs. Carbon monoxide, a poisonous gas also found in car exhaust, is another significant component, which impedes the blood’s oxygen-carrying capacity. Nicotine, although not a carcinogen itself, is a highly addictive chemical naturally present in tobacco. Specific carcinogens such as tobacco-specific nitrosamines, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (like benzo(a)pyrene), benzene, and formaldehyde are also released. Other toxic chemicals, like acrolein, arsenic, cadmium, and lead, are also produced during the burning process.
Impact on Health
The chemicals inhaled from combustible cigarettes inflict widespread damage across nearly every organ system in the body, with effects often being cumulative over time. Respiratory diseases are a major consequence, including Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), which encompasses emphysema and chronic bronchitis. COPD can severely limit airflow and cause significant breathing difficulties, with combustible cigarette use accounting for approximately 8 out of 10 COPD-related deaths.
Cardiovascular diseases are also significantly impacted, as smoking increases the risk of heart attacks, heart failure, and strokes. Carbon monoxide in smoke stresses the heart by reducing oxygen delivery to organs, forcing the heart to work harder. Furthermore, chemicals like acrolein and lead are known to damage the cardiovascular system.
Various cancers are directly linked to combustible cigarette smoke, including cancers of the lung, throat, and oral cavity, as well as bladder and pancreatic cancers. The carcinogens in smoke can damage DNA, leading to mutations that initiate cancer growth. Beyond these major disease categories, smoking also adversely affects reproductive health, the immune system, and skin health. For instance, benzene from cigarette smoke is a likely cause of leukemia and may reduce fertility.
How They Differ from Other Tobacco Products
Combustible cigarettes are fundamentally different from non-combustible alternatives such as e-cigarettes (vapes) or heated tobacco products primarily due to the presence of combustion. Traditional cigarettes burn tobacco at high temperatures, typically above 400°C and often reaching 800-900°C, which generates smoke containing thousands of chemicals and solid particles. This burning process is responsible for producing the vast majority of harmful chemicals found in cigarette smoke.
In contrast, e-cigarettes heat a liquid solution to create an aerosol, often referred to as vapor, and do not contain tobacco. Heated tobacco products, while containing tobacco, heat it to a much lower temperature, typically around 350°C, without combustion, thus producing an aerosol rather than smoke and ash. This distinction means that while other products may deliver nicotine, they avoid the burning process that generates tar and many other toxins associated with combustible cigarettes.