We have been bombarded with "smoking is bad for you" message since we were in elementary school. Considering all the solid evidence about how smoking seriously messes up your health, it's hard to believe that some people still light up. Instead of indulging a pack-a-day habit, increasing numbers of young smokers say they only puff on a part-time basis, say fewer than six cigarettes daily.  While you may think it is okay to smoke a few cigarettes a day, it turns out that there are other compounds apart from tobacco that can potentially damage your lungs even if inhaled in minute amounts. Here's what you are smoking apart from tobacco.

1. Acetone

Acetone is present in both first-hand and second-hand cigarette smoke and is highly inflammable. It is the same acetone which is also present in a nail polish remover. So now you know why the person doing your manicure wears a mask to cover her mouth and nose.

2. Embalming Fluid

Formaldehyde is another toxin found in cigarette smoke. But did you know that the same formaldehyde is used to preserve dead bodies? Unfortunately, the compound does not preserve your lungs.

3. Tar

When you smoke a cigarette, you also inhale tar which is a sticky substance. Cigaratte smoke damages the cilia of your lungs which paves a path for the tar to penetrate further and cause even more damage to the lungs. Cigarette Smoking Can Directly Damage Your Muscles.

4. Rubber

Apart from these, 1,3-butadiene is another surprising ingredient of cigarette smoke which is the same ingredient used to make rubber. So the phrase "burn rubber" gets a whole new meaning.

5. Household Cleaners

Ammonia which is commonly found in cleaning products is also added to tobacco to make the nicotine stronger. So you can blame your addiction to ammonia. How Bad is Smoking One Cigarette a Day? Even Social Smoking Is Addictive.

6. Car Exhaust Fumes

The odourless and tasteless carbon monoxide is also released when the tobacco in your cigarette is burned and inhaled. Carbon monoxide is also realeased in car exhaust fumes and other internal combustion engines.

7. Rat Poison

When you smoke, you release arsenic which is a classified carcinogen used in pesticides like rat poison and insect repellent.  You surely need to keep this carcinogen out of your lungs. Is Vaping Safer than Smoking? 4 Important Questions Answered About Electronic Cigarettes.

So don't fool yourself – the whole part-time puffing thing is really no less harmful than a hard-core habit.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 14, 2019 12:42 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).