Does cigarette smoke contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer? How so?

Answer 1

Short answer yes, Long answer no.
First, what are the largest contributors to Ozone depletion? Well, the presence of chlorine in any form (the gas itself or if its found in any compound that is turned into an aerosol). After that, we get to methane, and a few other simple hyrocarbons, but these are less damaging. Why are they less damaging? Well, they all interact with Ozone, but Methane is also destroyed by the harsher sunlight found in the ozone layer, whereas the chlrorine (and fluorine and nitrous) get activated and never die when destroying ozone up there.
So, let's look at what's in the cigarette. Complex hydrocarbons? yes, Chlorine (minute amount?). Nitrous? well, that's formed at high temperature.
So, if you smoke in the ozone, wil you destroy it? You betcha. But you aren't smoking up there are you, you smoke down here. How long does it take for chemicals to get up to the ozone layer? Up to 40 years. And which make it up there? only the light ones. Plus, there are many processes at ground level that keep your puffs of smoke down there. For instance, the reason you see smog in some big cities is the high concentration of nitrous (all those cars burning and cigarette as well).
So, Short answer yes, long answer no.

Answer 2

I always said I never would, but I got a little drunk one night and it didn't seem like a bad idea. Well, it was because I got addicted immediately! I love cigarettes so much now, but they don't treat me so well. I just ruined a date with a great guy because I needed a smoke. He found it unattractive to see and smell me smoking. His smile went away when I took out my cigarettes.

Answer 3

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