Do You Think of Yourself As A Rat?

May 22, 2012. Did you know that the chemical Arsenic, a chemical used to kill rats, is found in cigarettes? And if Arsenic is known as rat poison, and rat poison is used to kill rats, then why would you smoke that. Do you think of yourself as a rat? Smoking isn’t a cool thing to do so why do it? Is it worth trying because everyone else does it? I don’t think so. It can kill you so I would have to especially disagree with it. I will now try to persuade you to stop if you do participate in this activity.  Below is a list of chemicals found in cigarettes: Benzene (petrol additive)-A colorless cyclic hydrocarbon obtained from coal and petroleum, used as a solvent in fuel and in chemical manufacture - and contained in cigarette smoke. A It known carcinogen associated with leukemia. You might just be asking for leukemia.

Formaldehyde (embalming fluid)-A colorless liquid, highly poisonous, used to preserve dead bodies. Known to cause cancer, respiratory, skin, and gastrointestinal problems. Is smoking really worth getting cancer, respiratory, skin, and gastrointestinal problems?

Ammonia (toilet cleaner)-Used as a flavoring, frees nicotine from tobacco turning into a gas. Often found in dry cleaning fluids. Might as well drink toilet cleaner. Why not?

Acetone (nail polish remover)-Fragrant volatile liquid ketone, used as a solvent, for example nail polish remover. Once inhaled smoke condenses and about 70% of the tar in the smoke is deposited in the smoker’s lungs. Obviously this isn't meant for your body. Why do that to yourself?

Nicotine (insecticide/addictive drug)-One of the most addictive substances known to man, a powerful and fast-acting medical and non-medical poison known to man. This is the chemical, which causes addiction. Just think about the fact that this is a poison.

Carbon Monoxide (co, car exhaust fumes)-An odorless, tasteless and poisonous gas, rapidly fatal in large amounts. The main gas in cigarette smoke, formed when the cigarette is lit. We can do without car exhaust fumes in our systems.

Hydrogen Cyanide (gas chamber poison)  Do I even have to say something about this?

Maybe you should get the electronically powered cigarettes that taste the same but don’t give off harmful chemicals. I am not even sure if I want to believe that they don't give off chemicals. Think about the little babies that have to breathe in those chemicals. They don’t know how to hold their noses yet so they might just get lung cancer at the age of like 2 months, or worse die. Surely we don’t want that to happen, now do we? If you smoke, then you will have black lungs when lungs are meant to be pink.

I am Jiahnna Phillips in 7th grade at Blow Pierce Junior Academy.