Content of tobacco smoke

There are around 3000 chemicals found in tobacco smoke. See Wikipedia for a list of these.

Long term exposure to other compounds in the smoke, such as carbon monoxide, cyanide, and other compounds that damage lung and arterial tissue, are believed to be responsible for cardiovascular damage and for loss of elasticity in the alveoli, leading to emphysema and COPD.

In addition to chemical, nonradioactive carcinogens, tobacco and tobacco smoke contain radioactive components.