What is the difference between regular and light tobacco?

[smithdavid4321]

Hi Friends,
Can you please tell me what is the difference between regular and light tobacco?

[lxskllr]

There is no difference. That's an artificial distinction made by tobacco(cigarette primarily) companies. Mass produced cigarettes have the tobacco's properties modified in several different ways, and reducing flavor, and nicotine levels makes a "light" tobacco.

There's also different strains of tobacco, with some having a fuller flavor, and higher nicotine content, but they aren't referred to as light, or anything else. The tobacco producers, and aficionados know what the characteristics are by species, and production method.

[tom502]

If this is in reference to "light" cigs, I think it's the way the filter is made, that allows them to say that, as it has more holes and such in them. So the cig is "light", and not the tobacco.

[cyrax777]

i always figured it was the porous paper and a thicker filter.

[RRK]

I believe they remove all the juices from the tobacco, grind it up and make a tobacco paper that they shred. Then they reintroduce the juice in whatever amounts they desire to control the strength of the cigarette.

[lxskllr]

I believe they remove all the juices from the tobacco, grind it up and make a tobacco paper that they shred. Then they reintroduce the juice in whatever amounts they desire to control the strength of the cigarette.

Yea, it's manipulated a few different ways, both with the paper/filter, and the tobacco.

[WickedKitchen]

I've got a question.

Why doesn't everyone that smokes, smoke 100's? Seems to be that there's 15% or so more tobacco for the same price. I bought a box for my wife today and the 100's were actually a buck cheaper. I could care less so I saved the buck but I'm just curious...actually, I've always been curious.

Lights or not. I notice Camel puts the holes in the filters. Like Carltons...but I never liked Carltons.

[c.nash]

No such thing as light anymore. :P

[Bigblue1]

No such thing as light anymore. :P

I used to smoke p-funks (parliament lights) What are they called now? Especially seeing that at one point there was no Parliament full flavor. They were just delicious parliament lights.......

[bakerbarber]

Usually regular and light references are made regarding cigarettes like others have said.

It's a poor choice of terms, in that some have accused tobacco companies of using the word "light" to imply "safer"

In reality, light cigarettes, by various methods, have measurably reduced levels of tar and nicotine when compared to the "regular" version of the same brand. It is less harmful substances, but it does not mean "harmless."

The same is true for food. Manufacturers can legally label versions of their products as "light" or "low salt" or "low fat" etc... There are several terms and statements that are legal to place on the package if certain conditions exist. You can call a different formula of your brand "light" if it has 30% less calories than the regular formula of the same brand.

That being said, a light version of one brand can be substantially higher in fat, calories, sugars, sodium, and/or have less vitamins and nutrients than a regular version of a competitors' brand.

"Light" is a descriptor word in the English language. That fact is sometimes overlooked at face value.

To continue my comparison of tobacco to food.
Light cigarettes are still more harmful than different tobacco products, such as regular Swedish Snus.
Light Mayo is much less healthy than different condiments, such as regular Mustard.


I never agreed with the argument personally that having a "light" version of a tobacco product was intentional manipulation or deceitful advertising. As human beings, we must have some standard of personal responsibility. If you're too dim to realize light mayo is worse than regular mustard, than how can you say you didn't realize light cigarettes were harmful? Rhetorical question...

"Light" is no longer used on cigarette packages in the US as far as I can tell. I ask for Camel lights, and get handed Camel blues. I have not checked other brands yet, since I rarely buy cigarettes.

There is still "light" beer, mayo, ice cream, margarine, salad dressings, sour cream, yogurt, cheese, popcorn, chips, coffee drinks, etc... People who read labels can tell the difference and see past the descriptions.

Cigarettes don't have ingredient legends. Swedish snus does.

Marlboro never sold a "Marlboro Less Harmful" but they did sell "Marlboro Lights." I never for half a second thought they were good for me. I do think they were slightly less unhealthy than "Regular Marlboro's."

If you eat "diet" versions of shitty food, you're probably the kind of person who will end up obese and sick. Trying to blame your situation on the marketing department of a food company is like trying to blame lung cancer on a cigarette company that sold "Light" cigarettes.

Just a word to describe characteristics of different versions of the same brand. Different brands or styles of the same products may be entirely different until the details you're interested are highlighted.

[WickedKitchen]

I remember learning in school that there were no legal requirements for using the descriptions of "Light" or "All-Natural". That was 20 years ago so it's probably changed. Baker hit the nail on the head though.

Still miffed why 100's have more tobacco for the same price though.

[EricHill78]

I never liked the 100s cause the filter was longer and I didn't get as much of a hit in my mind.

[snusgetter]

I never liked the 100s cause the filter was longer and I didn't get as much of a hit in my mind.

Nail on the head --- longer filter; same tobacco, more loosely packed

[Jwalker]

I heard 100s don't contain more tobacco not sure if it's true. It's not like adding a few more grams a pack would cost the cigarette companies anything. In europe they tax 100s at a higher rate, but europeans are also the geniuses who created tar limits.

[Premium Parrots]

Great post bakerbarber. I almost thought it was one of sgregers posts untill I realized it made sense, was well thought out, quite accurate, and pretty dam good in the grammar dept.

rimjob