Evidence & research

All tobacco products are dangerous.

When tobacco burns, it releases more than 7,000 chemicals, including 200 that are poisons and at least 69 that can cause cancer. These toxins damage almost every part of your body.

It doesn’t matter if the product is roll-your-own, tailor-made, menthol, heated tobacco or shisha - all are harmful.

Cigarettes that say organic, natural or additive-free are not safe either. They all make toxic smoke. Herbal cigarettes are also harmful because they release tar and other poisons. Heated tobacco products have many of the same poisons as regular cigarettes and still contain nicotine.

Vapes don’t have tobacco, but they are not safe. Vape liquids have hundreds of chemicals, some known to damage lungs and heart. Many have never been tested.

Most vapes contain nicotine, which is very addictive and can make it harder to quit. People who vape often start smoking later. Vape aerosols also contain tiny particles that lodge deep in the lungs.

Shisha smoke has lots of toxic chemicals, too. People usually breathe it in more deeply and for longer than cigarette smoke, which increases exposure. Shisha can quickly raise your heart rate, blood pressure, and carbon monoxide levels.

Tobacco farm workers can also get sick from touching green tobacco leaves. This is called “green tobacco sickness” from nicotine absorbed through the skin.