The leaves of the
tobacco plant are
first dried to make
cigarettes. Certain
brands are then
treated with a
variety of
chemicals, and many
additional
ingredients may be
added. Tobacco smoke
contains more than
4,000 chemicals,
many of which are
toxic, mutagenic and
carcinogenic.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).