In the United States, approximately 14 percent of adults smoke cigarettes. This is a huge decrease since 2005 when about 21 percent of the population smoked.

While Americans are making healthy changes and deciding to smoke less, other countries aren’t experiencing these trends. For example, in some Pacific Islands, like Kiribati, over 40 percent of the population smokes. And countries like Greece and Montenegro have similar statistics.

No matter how you feel about smoking, it’s always a good idea to consider the facts before buying a pack. So, how are cigarettes made? Keep reading to find out!

Growing Tobacco

Tobacco is the primary ingredient in cigarettes, and, naturally, it starts as a seed. Eventually, it grows into a plant that tobacco farms harvest by chopping off the leaves.

Curing and Drying Tabacco

After harvesting the leaves, it’s time to cure the plants. This step makes the tobacco safe for consumption since it contains nicotine. So, to cure the leaves, they are left out in the sun to dry.

Enhancing Cigarettes

Once fully dry, the cigarette manufacturer chops the tobacco up and combines it with additives and chemicals. Some of these chemicals include:

  • Ammonia
  • Acetone
  • Methanol
  • Butane
  • Carbon Monoxide

Surprisingly enough, tobacco companies add these chemicals because they enhance the experience of smoking. However, these substances are toxic and make smoking much more dangerous, even increasing smokers’ chances of developing cancer.

For example, when ammonia mixes with nicotine, it creates a compound called free-based nicotine. This compound reaches your brain much faster than the normal substance, creating a quicker and more powerful reaction.

In addition to these chemicals, companies often add flavors to make smoking more appealing to young people. Or, they may put menthol in cigarettes to soothe smokers’ throats. And, while these ingredients are not harmful, they may encourage people to smoke more often.

Wrapping Cigarettes

In cigarette factories, machines can produce thousands of cigarettes every minute. They start with one long rod, which is made from cigarette paper thousands of meters in length. After placing tobacco inside it, it is wrapped.

Next, machines cut the rod into shorter pieces and place filters on the ends. And, these filters are then connected with tipping paper, which is what you see on the tips of a cigarette.

Finally, the cigarettes are packed in cartons and wrapped with protective film.

Now You Know “How are Cigarettes Made?”

After reading this post, you can answer the question, “how are cigarettes made?”. As a result, you have a better idea of the process of making a cigarette and whether you are comfortable with the ingredients they contain.

Of course, before you make a decision about smoking, you should also look up the health risks associated with it. This will assure you know how to keep yourself safe.

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