Chemical Additives in Commercial Tobacco Products

The use of chemical additives in commercial tobaccocommercial aspects, but the flavour of menthol is the
products is a widespread practice in the modern world.most widely recognized around the world. In a cunning
Even in the 15th century, it was practised in some oridea targeting the youth, candy-like flavours including
other ways. Spanish sailors used to apply licoricecherry has also been introduced.
water to tobacco to preserve it for longerSome of the additives used in cigarettes and
durations. Nowadays, tobacco productssmokeless tobacco products are primarily intended to
manufacturers publicly admit the use of chemicalmodify the "smoke pH quotient". A higher pH allows for
additives in their highly popular products. The typicalmore nicotine to be present which become all the
tobacco cigarette contains approximately 10 percentmore readily available for absorption into the body
chemical additives by weight. These are mostly in thesystem.
form of ammonia compounds, humectants, cocoa, andThe various additives induce different kinds of
licorice.physiological and behavioural effects. As for example,
Smokeless tobacco also is no exception assome of these chemical additives increase the
manufacturers make use of moisteners, sweeteners,addictive property of tobacco smoke by many times
and pleasant flavours such as cherry juice to increaseby way of altering the regular or usual effects of
the appeal of the product and their sales. Thesenicotine. Sometimes they create pharmacologic
chemical additives do have a greater say in theeffects on the person who smoke or use it.
flavour, sensory properties such as smoothness, andMenthol is one such substance that has been found to
various other physical characteristics. Even thoughenhance the drug absorption levels. It has also the
these additives are added in very small amounts,potential to alter the pharmacological action of other
mostly less than 1/100th of the total weight, thecarcinogens contained in tobacco smoke.
cumulative effect of these chemical additives on theA higher percentage of nicotine in freebase form
flavour aspect of the product might be significant. Mostincreases the rate of absorption in the mouth and
often, it is difficult or well nigh impossible to weigh upfacilitates faster absorption in the lower respiratory
the impact of these special substances.tract. These aspects could alter the intensity of
Additives do have specific roles to play in the wholeresponse in different persons and would increase the
affair. For instance, the flavour of a tobacco is, for thedependency potential. The experience or just the
most part, determined by the tobacco leaf blend, whileperception of smoothness of the tobacco smoke may
additives take care of the modification andtempt people for increased use of that particular
enhancement of tobacco flavour properties. Manycompany’s product. Similarly, the relief from stress
tobacco flavouring substances including vanilla, cherryreceived through its use encourages and supports the
and orange have been introduced for boosting thetendency to use it more frequently than before.