smoke hazard

It is ironic indeed that man very concerned about the balance of nature caused by fuel combustion process industries that emit pollution, but on the other hand people deliberately burning cigarette production gas stream into their lungs.

Smoking habits in different cultures has become a nation in the world. The majority of smokers around the world, 47 percent were male while 12 percent of the population is female population in various age categories. Diverse backgrounds smoking, among adolescents and adult men and for the prestige factor is called a hero, or even one interesting proverb is used as a justification for the `no smoking on the roof rooster, handsome guns smoking guns'. While among the elderly, stress and because addiction is a factor causing the urge to smoke.


Various reasons for smoking and the factors causing the above is usually lost if experts argue with the experts about the potential danger of what caused from smoking both for themselves, others and the environment. It must be admitted that many smokers say that smoking is not bad but of the many pamphlets, leaflets, anti-smoking campaign, down to cigarette pack warnings will be given the health hazards of cigarettes, still can not be mass mengubris reduced smoking habits and number of smokers

This paper is probably similar fate with a collection of anti-smoking action that buzzed as above, but I try to discuss it from the point of the chemical in accordance with the literature that belongs, in the hope that readers of this site are the majority of the chemistry department will be easier to understand than I discuss in terms of health, environment or industry. So hopefully after reading the article ini.setidaknya some people can quit smoking.

Cigarettes and Chemical Reactions (Combustion)

The process of burning cigarette is no different with the process of burning other solid materials. Cigarette made from dried tobacco leaves, paper and the substance of taste, can be formed from the elements Carbon (C), hydrogen (H), Oxygen (O), nitrogen (N) and Sulfur (S) and other elements that are small. Cigarettes as a whole can be formulated chemically named as (CvHwOtNySzSi).

Two reactions that may occur in the process of smoking
First is the reaction with oxygen to form cigarette compounds such as CO2, H2O, NOx, SOx, and CO. This reaction is called combustion reactions that occur at high temperature that is above 800oC. This reaction occurs at the edge or surface of the cigarette is in contact with air.
CvHwOtNySzSi + O2 -> CO2 + H2O + NOx + SOx + SiO2 (ash) ((at a temperature of 800oC))
cigarette combustion reaction

The second reaction is the reaction solution to the chemical structure of cigarettes into other chemical compounds. This reaction occurs because of warming and a lack of oxygen. This reaction is more commonly known as pirolysis. Pirolysis take place at temperatures lower than 800oC. So the range of pirolysis on the inside of the cigarette is in the area of temperatures 400-800oC. Characteristic of this reaction is to produce thousands of chemical compounds that are structurally complex.

CvHwOtNySzSi -> 3000 + chemical compounds other hot products ((at 400-800oC))
pirolysis reaction

Although not dominant pirolysis reaction in the process of smoking, but many belong to the compound produced a toxic chemical compound that has the ability to diffuse in the blood. Diffusion process will continue while there are differences in concentration. No need to doubt that point on pirolysis dangers of smoking cigarettes. Actually this pirolysis product can burn when the product through a high temperature and sufficient to Oxygen.