Smoked paper, also known as rolling paper, is a specialty paper used for making cigarettes. It is commonly used in both commercially manufactured filter cigarettes and individually made roll-your-own cigarettes. The paper comes in packs of several cigarette-size sheets, often folded inside a cardboard wrapper. Smoked paper is also used for rolling cannabis cigarettes, known as joints.
History of Smoked Paper
The popularity of smoked paper rose in the second half of the 19th century, replacing expensive cigars and cigarillos. During the Crimean War, British soldiers learned how to roll tobacco in newspapers, and this practice became more prevalent. To meet the growing demand for rolling paper, companies like Pay-Pay, Smoking, and Rizla emerged.
Composition of Smoked Paper
Smoked paper is made from thin and lightweight rag fibers such as flax, hemp, sisal, rice straw, and esparto. It is available in rolls and rectangular sheets of varying sizes, with a narrow strip of glue along one long edge. The paper can be transparent, colored, and flavored. It has a high filler content and a basis weight of 10-28 g/mAdditives are used to regulate burning and control smoking properties. For example, calcium carbonate may be added to influence permeability and color, while magnesium carbonate improves ash color. Sodium potassium tartrate and sodium and potassium citrate are used as combustion regulators.
Permeability is an important characteristic of smoked paper. It refers to the measure of the volume of air that flows through a specified area of cigarette paper in a given unit of time. US commercial filter cigarette brands have paper permeability between 14 and 51 CORESTA units. Increased permeability results in increased smoke dilution with air.
Fire-resistant cigarettes, which reduce the risk of fire from unattended cigarettes, are made with special paper that includes a plastic compound called ethylene vinyl acetate. This plastic helps the cigarette self-extinguish if left unattended.
Consumption of Smoked Paper
Roll-your-own (RYO) cigarettes have become the fastest-growing segment of the tobacco industry in the United States. It is estimated that 2-4% of cigarette smokers, or approximately 6 million people, make their own cigarettes. This shift is largely due to the increasing taxes on manufactured cigarettes. Similar trends have been observed in Canada, where a survey estimated that 9% of cigarette smokers rolled their own cigarettes at least some of the time. In the United Kingdom, roll-your-own use has more than doubled since 1990, with many smokers believing that hand-rolled cigarettes are less harmful than manufactured products.
Taxation and Regulation of Smoked Paper
The rise in roll-your-own cigarettes has prompted tax authorities to respond. Some states in the United States, such as Indiana and Kentucky, have imposed taxes on rolling papers. The FDA also regulates the ingredients used in cigarette rolling papers sold in the US, requiring brands to submit their ingredients for approval.
Is smoking paper better than cigarettes?
Smoking paper is not inherently better or worse than cigarettes. It is simply a medium used for smoking tobacco or cannabis. The health effects of smoking depend on the substances being smoked and individual smoking habits.
What is the healthiest paper to smoke?
There is no definitive answer to this question as the healthiness of smoked paper depends on various factors. However, some smokers prefer unbleached, organic, or natural papers as they believe they are healthier options.
Is rolling paper legal in India?
Yes, rolling paper is legal in India. As the prices of cigarettes continue to rise, roll-your-own cigarettes are becoming a popular choice among Indian smokers. Rolling papers and rolling tobacco can be easily purchased at Pan Shops throughout the country.
In conclusion, smoked paper, or rolling paper, is a specialty paper used for making cigarettes and joints. It has a long history and is composed of thin and lightweight rag fibers. The consumption of roll-your-own cigarettes is on the rise, driven by factors such as high taxes on manufactured cigarettes. Smoked paper is taxed and regulated in some countries, and there are various options available to consumers in terms of paper composition and health preferences.
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