Additives in tobacco products
The contents and design of tobacco products are often altered to enhance their addictiveness and appeal. These additives are substances added during the manufacturing process and can include flavourings, preservatives, and humectants (moisture retaining chemicals). Along with making it easier to start smoking, improving the user experience of tobacco products can make it harder for smokers to quit.
The following techniques are examples of how tobacco products are altered to improve their appeal.
- Masking agents are added to disguise the harshness of the smoke in the mouth and throat. For example, menthol provides a cooling sensation that dulls the pain receptors. It also makes smoking more addictive by increasing the number of nicotine receptors in the brain.
- Rollie tobacco is made to look natural and fresh, and additives ensure it is moist and easy to roll.
- By adding tiny holes to tailor made cigarette filters, air is mixed into the smoke, so it feels lighter in the mouth, throat and lungs.
These techniques mask the true harshness of smoking and are designed to make it easy for you to forget the damage smoking is doing to your airways as you inhale toxic cancer-causing chemicals. If you inhaled smoke from raw tobacco, it would feel harsh and painful due to the hundreds of toxins released throughout the burning process.
More information
- ‘The con that kills’ (Cancer Council Victoria)
- Where do all the chemicals come from?
How do I quit smoking?
For information about how to quit smoking your way, including supports, tools and information, visit the ‘Quit your way’ page.