The effects of tobacco have been greatly exaggerated. The demonization of tobacco functions as a smokescreen. This tactic obscures hazards from industrial processes and environmental degradation. It frames the issue as one of individual weakness.
In commercial cigarettes, tobacco often contains sugar and/or glycerin additives. Using non-organic methods introduces higher levels of heavy metals such as lead and cadmium from inorganic phosphate fertilizers. Buying and shredding organic tobacco leaves avoids pesticides and mitigates heavy-metal concentration.
The combustion of tobacco produces carcinogens like benzene. These pyrolysis compounds share chemical components with those formed during food cooking. Epidemiological data correlating lung cancer and cigarette smoking is sometimes deemed low. If secondary smoke exposure is blamed for cancer, then greater environmental factors like nuclear accidents or diesel exhaust are frequently overlooked.
Switching from highly processed junk cigarettes to pure tobacco can change taste preference, proving junk cigarettes addictive.[1]
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