No Healthy Alternatives to Smoking
Is chewing tobacco less harmful than smoking? Are hand rolled cigarettes better than those pre-made by a tobacco company? Is there any brand of loose tobacco or cigarette that is safer than others? The old saying that the only safe cigarette is an unlit cigarette pretty much answers these questions, but we will consider them each on a point by point basis to give a better answer.
Chewing tobacco is not safe at all. It is still loaded with the many chemicals of regular tobacco, it still contains tons of addictive nicotine, and it is also a major cause of all kinds of serious diseases and illnesses. Tobacco contains nicotine, and nicotine is one of the world’s most lethal poisons. This is the reason that someone who eats a cigarette becomes gravely ill. Though chewing tobacco contains lesser amounts of nicotine, it is still full of the hundreds and thousands of chemicals that tobacco companies use to make their products more appealing and addictive.
Hand rolled cigarettes might prevent the smoker from inhaling upward of four thousand different chemicals (such as those in a standard pre-packaged cigarette) but they also force the smoker to take in much more nicotine, carbon monoxide and tar. In fact, several types of serious and often lethal cancers are much more likely from the use of hand rolled cigarettes than of pre-made versions. Not only that, but the hand rolled cigarettes can cause the smoker to crave more nicotine and can lead to an actual overall increase in the amount of smoking done each day.
Finally, there are no “all-natural” brands of tobacco. There is no such thing as an organically grown tobacco either. This is because commercial tobacco requires heavy feeding of nitrogen-based fertilizers, and these are extremely toxic. These leave residues behind on the tobacco, and even after processing the smoker is going to take in many of the chemicals used in the growing process.
Even such things as “hooka pipes” in the Middle East, which are often viewed as more “natural” will actually deliver the amount of toxins as up to two hundred regular cigarettes. What this has all demonstrated is the fact that there are no safe ways to have a smoking habit of any kind.
As stated in the opening of this discussion, the only safe cigarette is one that is never smoked. Since the average smoker spends over two thousand dollars per year on their tobacco products it is also good to consider using that money for a healthier activity such as a vacation or a new bike instead.
