Are American Spirit cigarettes as safe as we think?

[Woodsman]

Has anybody explored growing their own?

Where I live, it's legal to grow tobacco plants for your own use.

You can order seeds and there are websites explaining how best to grow and dry raw leaf. Seems a good way to be certain of what you're smoking. Actually, I enjoy gardening, so it looks like a lot of fun.

I was thinking about doing this, but found after a months long trial period, that nicotine didn't suit me. Oh well. I enjoyed certain aspects of smoking, but felt that my body was in constant war with the drug. Head aches and nausea and feeling weird. While some mental problems became easier to solve, the clarity my mind felt when not smoking seems to fit me much better. Quitting was also very easy. All together, I took these as signs that being a non-smoker is the right path for me.

But for those who do, I'd be curious to know if growing tobacco would lead to any successes. I think the only really important thing is to be very careful to stay within the bounds of the local laws.

 

[ScottD]

Has anybody explored growing their own?

Where I live, it's legal to grow tobacco plants for your own use.

You can order seeds and there are websites explaining how best to grow and dry raw leaf. Seems a good way to be certain of what you're smoking. Actually, I enjoy gardening, so it looks like a lot of fun.

I was thinking about doing this, but found after a months long trial period, that nicotine didn't suit me. Oh well. I enjoyed certain aspects of smoking, but felt that my body was in constant war with the drug. Head aches and nausea and feeling weird. While some mental problems became easier to solve, the clarity my mind felt when not smoking seems to fit me much better. Quitting was also very easy. All together, I took these as signs that being a non-smoker is the right path for me.

But for those who do, I'd be curious to know if growing tobacco would lead to any successes. I think the only really important thing is to be very careful to stay within the bounds of the local laws.

Why not grow it for those around you that do smoke? If I knew someone nearby growing organically I'd easily trade for or purchase it.

 

[Woodsman]

Why not grow it for those around you that do smoke? If I knew someone nearby growing organically I'd easily trade for or purchase it.

Hm. Growing for oneself would be legal. Growing for others in a trade-market manner. . . I'd have to check those pesky aforementioned laws again, but it seems easier for smokers to plant their own seeds. Tobacco is insanely controlled in my neck of the world, and the social programming against it is very thick.

Not that it wouldn't be a good thing to target; living your choices affects the world, teaches. But you have to pick your fights. That one isn't something I feel drawn toward tackling.

 

[Gawan]

Has anybody explored growing their own?

Where I live, it's legal to grow tobacco plants for your own use.

You can order seeds and there are websites explaining how best to grow and dry raw leaf. Seems a good way to be certain of what you're smoking. Actually, I enjoy gardening, so it looks like a lot of fun.

I was thinking about doing this, but found after a months long trial period, that nicotine didn't suit me. Oh well. I enjoyed certain aspects of smoking, but felt that my body was in constant war with the drug. Head aches and nausea and feeling weird. While some mental problems became easier to solve, the clarity my mind felt when not smoking seems to fit me much better. Quitting was also very easy. All together, I took these as signs that being a non-smoker is the right path for me.

But for those who do, I'd be curious to know if growing tobacco would lead to any successes. I think the only really important thing is to be very careful to stay within the bounds of the local laws.

Hey woodsman have a look here on a recent sott article:

http://www.sott.net/articles/show/224899-Now-in-Brooklyn-Homegrown-Tobacco-Local-Rebellious-and-Tax-Free

:)

fwiw

 

[Galaxia2002]

After investigating and reading this post and others I believe that there is a logical question we must answer and this is it: How do the snuff resist so long since it is produced until it reaches the store and it is consumed? It's so easy to get mold as any dead tree leaf, and produce even more with the level of moisture needed to get a good smoking. I strongly suspect that most brands including organic have at least one preservative as either benzoate salts or sorbic acid (most benign), then how can we explain that it last so much long?

 

[lawg]

After investigating and reading this post and others I believe that there is a logical question we must answer and this is it: How do the snuff resist so long since it is produced until it reaches the store and it is consumed? It's so easy to get mold as any dead tree leaf, and produce even more with the level of moisture needed to get a good smoking. I strongly suspect that most brands including organic have at least one preservative as either benzoate salts or sorbic acid (most benign), then how can we explain that it last so much long?

Apparently keeping tobacco moist, but not too moist, and warm, but not too warm, prevents molding. Cigar lovers have raised this to an art form to preserve their expensive sticks. Cigars tend to be pretty additive free and are often kept warm and moist for long periods. A sealed snuff container should maintain constant humidity for a pretty long time, so it may not get too moist while still not drying out. And as long as it doesn't sit on some airport runway in the sun it may not get warm enough, long enough. This and packaging in a fungus spore clean environment could answer your question.

Although, I would positively expect a mass-market product to have some added un-natural preservative and any addiction boosters they could cook up. The matter needs further study, but its not a slam dunk that time=mold or unnatural preservatives.

http://www.ehow.com/facts_5962318_fungus-humidors.html

 

[Galaxia2002]

thank you Lawg

 

[Z...]

In my country it is impossible to find any of those organic brands and ordering online is also impossible due to strict importation laws pertaining to tobacco. So I followed advice of my tobacconist who recommended fairly new brand on the local market called Rasta Chill Tobacco, allegedly additive free.
I ve been smoking it for several months now and I have to say I like it very much, its not too mild and not to strong just right and it does feel better then anything else I smoked before.

I tried online search and was unable to find anything, it took me a while to figure out what is the name of company that produces this brand as the logo is very inconspicuous, almost hidden on the packet. It is Gryson of Belgium and funnily enough they don't have official website and after my internet search they do appear somewhat shady.

The only thing I managed to find about Rasta tobacco is following:
"In what is set to be the cheekiest launch in the tobacco industry for some time, Zig-Zagissetto introduce Rasta--a new range of rolling tobacco. Aimed at young adult smokers, the striking pack features the distinctive rastafari livery of red, yellow and green and carries the on-pack description 'Chill Tobacco'. The tobacco itself is a natural blend that contains minimal flavourings or additives. Rasta Chill is set for a mid-market positioning with an rsp of [pounds sterling]2.92 for a 12.5g pouch. Zig-Zag is also launching a limited-edition embossed and hinged metal tin that will contain two pouches and a packet of rolling papers. "

I ve been smoking it for months believing it is additive free only to find out that it contains "minimal flavorings and additives" :(
In any case that is probably the healthiest tobacco brand that can be found locally.

 

[jhonny]

Hi Tigersoap, I live also in Belgium (antwerp) but i can't find Freejack tobacco hier, I do not know if you can tell me if there is another good tobacco without additives here.
Thanks

Hey jhonny,

I just came from central station in Antwerp and purchased Pueblo brand tobacco. The store also carried Free Jack cigarettes. As far as the clerck was concerned, those were the only two brands. If you go across the street and up a bit to a large smoke shop with the name Marlboro (brand) on the outside (on the left side), you will find them there. :) If you need more details with the location, let me know.

I find it a little dry (I now understand what everyone is talking about as I never experienced this dryness before), but after the first one, it's okay.

Thank you very much Truth seeker, I found it!.
I've been smoking FreeJack but I don't really like it so I went yesterday to that shop and I bought Pueblo tobacco, that's much better.

 

[stardust]

I have found this listing of brand tobacco (to roll - not cigarettes) and their corresponding % of additives.

http://additifstabac.free.fr/index.php/tabac-rouler-pourcentage-additifs-taux-nicotine-goudrons/


In french but very easy to read ( the last column gives the % of additives).

Hope it will be helpful ! :)

I don't smoke since many years but I will try to do again if I find 0% additive tobacco.

 

[rymw]

Thanks for the link Stardust, very helpful. We can't get AS or Freejack here in ASEAN but Golden Harvest is readily available so it's good to know that it's at least 96% pure, lol.

I started out as a pipe smoker and I steer clear of the aromatics except for Ilsted 99 (macchiato flavoured) but I smoke as a treat and it is dryer than most pipe baccy. But I also stuff RYO baccy into my pipes and they smoke just fine. I also add pieces of clove to both RYO baccy in my pipes and in paper/hemp/corn leaves (asian style) to recreate the famous Indonesian 'kretek'...very nice, spicey, warming and for an aromatic that's as natural as it gets :)

 

[seek10]

While searching the net and found this 3 year old post. When a women asked maker of american spirit tobacco about the availability of gluten in american spirit tobacco, this what she got from company
_http://www.celiac.com/gluten-free/topic/79216-gluten-in-cigarettes/

Thank you for your email. While there is no gluten in our Natural American Spirit tobacco, it is possible that trace amounts of gluten are present in our paper and adhesive materials. Our cigarettes are no more or less likely to contain gluten than other cigarette brands.

 

[Mr. Premise]

While searching the net and found this 3 year old post. When a women asked maker of american spirit tobacco about the availability of gluten in american spirit tobacco, this what she got from company
_http://www.celiac.com/gluten-free/topic/79216-gluten-in-cigarettes/

Thank you for your email. While there is no gluten in our Natural American Spirit tobacco, it is possible that trace amounts of gluten are present in our paper and adhesive materials. Our cigarettes are no more or less likely to contain gluten than other cigarette brands.

I wouldn't worry about it. Once it's burned it's no longer gluten. Unless you eat your cigarettes. :P

 

[Leòmhann]

I don't smoke since many years but I will try to do again if I find 0% additive tobacco.

stardust hi- if you are looking for a great organic (0% additive) tobacco, you may want to check out Leaf Only. They also have International Shipping for those outside the US.

Excellent leaf! ;) Plus, I've also posted some info on shredding here. :)

 

[seek10]

While searching the net and found this 3 year old post. When a women asked maker of american spirit tobacco about the availability of gluten in american spirit tobacco, this what she got from company
_http://www.celiac.com/gluten-free/topic/79216-gluten-in-cigarettes/

Thank you for your email. While there is no gluten in our Natural American Spirit tobacco, it is possible that trace amounts of gluten are present in our paper and adhesive materials. Our cigarettes are no more or less likely to contain gluten than other cigarette brands.

I wouldn't worry about it. Once it's burned it's no longer gluten. Unless you eat your cigarettes. :P

Thank you and Good to know.