SHOCKING... DID YOU KNOW YOU SMOKED FILLERS???? YEPPERS!
THEY USED STEMS AND WASTE PRODUCT TO SAVE MONEY....AND....AND
THEN USE ALL KINDS OF GOOD STUFF TO GIVE IT A KICK. MERCY
Cigarette composition
Cigarettes look deceptively simple, consisting of paper tubes containing chopped up tobacco leaf, usually with a filter at the mouth end. In fact, they are highly engineered products, designed to deliver a steady dose of nicotine.
Cigarette tobacco is blended from two main leaf varieties: yellowish �bright�, also known as Virginia where it was originally grown, contains 2.5-3% nicotine; and �burley� tobacco which has a higher nicotine content (3.5-4%). US blends also contain up to 10% of imported �oriental� tobacco which is aromatic but relatively low (less than 2%) in nicotine.
In addition to the leaf blend, cigarettes contain �fillers� which are made from the stems and other bits of tobacco which would otherwise be waste products. These are mixed with water and various flavourings and additives.
The ratio of filler varies among brands. For example, a high filler content makes a less dense cigarette with a slightly lower tar delivery. Additives are used to make tobacco products more acceptable to the consumer. They include humectants (moisturisers) to prolong shelf life; sugars to make the smoke seem milder and easier to inhale; and flavourings such as chocolate and vanilla. While some of these may appear to be quite harmless in their natural form they may be toxic in combination with other substances. Also when additives are burned, new products of combustion are formed and these may be toxic. The full list of 600 permitted additives can be viewed on the Department of Health�s website. For further information on tobacco additives, see also the ASH/ICRF report, Tobacco Additives.
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/21/2007
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 102
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 2,058
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $455.94
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 13 [B]Hrs:[/B] 8 [B]Mins:[/B] 21 [B]Seconds:[/B] 16
