The amounts of these ingredients can vary widely from one brand or type of cigarette to the next. This is especially true of the tar and nicotine content, the range of which is so extreme that an entire carton of some brands of cigarettes (e.g., Carlton) might contain less tar and/or nicotine than a single cigarette of a "full flavor" brand.

Major tobacco companies also pack their cigarettes differently, using the longer more potent section of the tobacco leaf in the end, and moving the short cut pieces in the front (also known as "shake"). The hybrid tobacco leaves a more potent addiction effect this way. Relatively unpopular cigerette companies offer "no additive" cigarettes that are viewed by some as marginally healthier. Such brands include Nat Sherman of New York City, Natural American Spirit (manufactured by Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Co, an independent subsidiary of Reynolds American) and Winston (manufactured directly by R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company).