Cigarette substitutes: what are the alternatives?

Tobacco has been consumed in different ways for centuries. In the 15th century, when the tobacco plant first came to Europe, it was mainly used to cure diseases. Tobacco products continued to evolve and the medicinal properties of the plant took a back seat. Today, tobacco is most commonly found in cigarettes, but there are other products that contain tobacco.

In this article, we want to introduce you to alternatives to cigarettes and reveal how you can enjoy tobacco-free consumption. The products listed here are not only less harmful to health, but also to the environment.

Why are more and more people looking for a cigarette substitute?

Smoking is bad for the body and health, is now known to most. In addition to nicotine, there are around 4800 other chemical substances in cigarette smoke, more than 70 of which are carcinogenic. The toxic substances include carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, tar, benzene and lead. In addition to the increased risk of cancer, smokers also run the risk of developing diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, chronic bronchitis or inflammation of the gums more quickly.

In addition to the health consequences, nature also plays a role, because with every cigarette the various toxic gases enter the environment. According to estimates, between 1.9 and 5.3 milligrams of nicotine are released into the air with a cigarette. In addition, smoked cigarettes are often thrown out on the street and are the most common garbage items. So the benefits of quitting smoking or looking for alternatives far outweigh the benefits.

What is suitable as a cigarette substitute?

Quitting smoking often proves to be more difficult than expected and very few people manage to stop smoking suddenly. Some also do not want to give up tobacco consumption permanently and are therefore looking for less harmful alternatives. In addition to the cigarette, products such as nicotine pouches, e-cigarettes and heat-not-burn products are also becoming increasingly popular.

E-cigarettes

A distinction is made between two different products for e-cigarettes: There are cap and tank systems. With cap systems, a cartridge with liquid is screwed onto a vaporizer and these are activated as soon as the mouthpiece is pulled. The liquid evaporates during this process and is inhaled in a similar way to smoking.

Tank systems are refill systems and can be filled with different liquids. The heating process starts at the push of a button and the liquid begins to evaporate. E-cigarettes are often used as an alternative to smoking.

Heat-not-burn tobacco products

In the case of heat-not-burn products, as the name suggests, tobacco sticks are heated, but not burned, in order to minimize the creation of harmful substances. When the sticks are heated, an aerosol containing nicotine is created, which is inhaled.

With conventional cigarettes, temperatures of 800 degrees Celsius are usually reached during the combustion process, with heat-not-burn products only around 350 degrees. The steam is said to be less harmful to health than that of the cigarettes and has a less strong smell.

Snuff

The snuff is considered to be the oldest form of tobacco consumption. During production, tobacco leaves are finely ground and flavored. During consumption, the tobacco is placed on the back of the hand or fingertips and sucked in.

Snuff is considered to be less harmful than smoking because it does not produce any combustion products. However, the nasal mucous membrane can be damaged in the long term and the tobacco can contain carcinogenic substances.

Snus

Snus is now more popular than cigarettes in Sweden and is a smoke-free alternative to smoking. Snus is a mixture of tobacco, water, salt and flavorings. It is filled in small bags that are placed under the upper lip when consumed. The All White Nicotine Pouches offer an alternative without tobacco. Instead of tobacco, natural plant fibers are used there.

Snus is available in different strengths with different levels of nicotine. Siberia Red -80 Degrees WDP with 43 mg / g nicotine is particularly strong snus. Odens Cold Extreme WDP is one of the medium strength varieties with 22 mg / g nicotine. Those looking for a mild alternative should try edel Mini Spearmint AW with 10 mg / g nicotine.