Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless gas that is produced when carbon containing fuels are burned. Cigarette smoke contains amongst other things, high levels of carbon monoxide. Exposure to carbon monoxide reduces the amount of oxygen carried in the blood stream. It enters the body through the lungs and combines with hemoglobin and breathing low levels of carbon monoxide can cause chest pain, headaches and nausea. Normally a person should have between 0 and 8 parts CO per million but a smoker can have at least 20 parts per million which is unhealthy although once a person quits smoking the carbon monoxide level in their body will return to normal after 24 hours.

Carbon monoxide can accelerate the layering of cholesterol on the lining of the arteries which leads to hardening of the arteries. The lack of oxygen in the body caused by exposure to carbon monoxide can damage the heart and increase the risk and harm caused by a heart attack. When a person smokes a cigarette, the nicotine stimulates the body and increases the hearts need for oxygen while the carbon monoxide reduces the supply of oxygen to the heart so this is a very good reason for a person to quit smoking before the damage caused is irreparable.

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