TOBACCO ISN’T EVIL
Oh my gosh! Did she just say tobacco isn’t evil??? Who is this imposter and how dare she masquerade as someone who promotes health?! Well, before you jump to any conclusions, you might want to read through the entire article. Suffice it to say, it’s not a black and white issue.
WHAT I AM SAYING
Whenever anything is demonized by the media, resident experts and influencers, the “bigs” (corporations, pharma, Hollywood, medicine, government, academia), and the sector of society that looks solely to these entities for guidance and approval, one should ask themselves, “Why?”.
Commodities such as tobacco, nicotine, sugar, eggs, saturated fat, meat, raw dairy, God-given miracles like sunshine, and the right to make informed decisions have somehow become highly controversial, taboo even.
Using tobacco, like drinking alcohol, (both when done in moderation) can be therapeutic – and there should be no judgement of or shame from a thoughtfully crafted practice. But don’t just listen to me. I urge you to think for yourself and do your own research. Break away from crowd think and start discerning. Everything.
This article isn’t intended to be the summit of the discussion. Rather, it stands to highlight a few of the discrepancies in the stance against tobacco products, offer food for thought, encourage you to recognize and question the narrative, and to reconsider the role tobacco, and subsequently nicotine, has in your health.
WHAT I’M NOT SAYING
Before you merely glance this piece and turn away with preconceived ideas, I’ll tell you what I’m not saying, upfront:
All tobacco is good. Nope, no it isn’t. Especially if it is treated with calcium phosphate fertilizers which, in essence, contain polonium-210 (a radioactive element). Quality and purity matters.
You should start smoking even if you have no interest. Why would you do that? No one is suggesting you should take up smoking; it’s not for everyone.
If you choose to light up only occasionally, the type of product isn’t of consequence. Actually, it is. If you are going to choose to smoke or pursue nicotine in any form, make sure it is of the cleanest source and by way of a well crafted delivery mechanism.
This article is a free pass to be used as an argument to keep puffing away, somehow justifying a truly bad habit (that includes poorly assembled products) and confusing it with a therapeutic one. On the contrary, I’m trying to disengage the mis-informed stigma that has been cast, compel people to see beyond the superficial, hypnotic portrayal that tobacco is evil (and that the people who use it are somehow the dregs of society), and to deftly separate fact from fiction. Here’s one to get you started:
Fact: smoking chemical laden cancer sticks are bad for your health. Fiction: all tobacco products are bad and so are the people that use them.Nicotine isn’t addictive. While some can be exposed to nicotine and never become addicted (e.g., suffer withdrawal symptoms), it is a possibility. Those who are able to take it or leave it will often say it is because they are uncompromising about quality and they limit their intake. I think the bigger question is, what is driving the addiction and is a nicotine addiction really a bad thing? For instance, well-crafted products used therapeutically have many benefits and can effectively address a number health conditions including Alzheimers, Parkinson’s, ulcerative colitis, weight and insulin management. If it works, who cares? Plenty of people are “addicted” to their thyroid medication, insulin pump, coffee, or eating three meals a day - all of which have side effects and withdrawal symptoms, if gone without, too. Incidentally, nicotine is not known to cause cancer, though the connection is often made and the urban myth is perpetuated by disinformation campaigns.
TOBACCO PRODUCTS
Depending on which resource you use to explore what’s in a cigarette, you’ll find search results that tell you there are anywhere from 4,000-7,000 chemicals in one dugan and between 500 and 700 additives. Standard cigarette brands such as Marlboro, Camel, and Newport do contain chemicals, additives, and excipients such as benzene, arsenic, isoprene, cadmium, formaldehyde, polonium-210, beryllium, toluene, cyanide, methane, naphthalene, and often have artificial flavorings.
Commercial cigarettes also have proven biologic toxicities: carcinogenesis, atherogenesis, teratogenesis. There are a few reputable brands of cigarettes that use superior ingredients and do not include junk such as Hestia and Manitou. American Spirits are supposed to be in the same arena but, in order to learn about their product from their website, there is an extensive screening process - a big turn-off, in my book.
Most cigars, save for those crafted similarly to cigarettes, are made entirely of whole tobacco leaves that are rolled, aged, and fermented. Provided the leaves are responsibly sourced and handled, they are generally superior to cigarettes as they are less likely to have any additives and there is no concern about what paper wrapper and filter is used (since there are none). They come in plain, (artificially and naturally) flavored, infused, and can include herbs, botanicals, and spices.
Pipes are said to have been around since at least 2000 BC. They rely on loose tobacco typically cut into ribbons and, per session (bowl), use less by volume than what is found in a cigar. The tobacco itself tends to be a blend and the use of aromatics is not unusual. Pipe smoking is considered safer than smoking commercial cigarettes and even cigars, as noted in the US Surgeon General Report, “Smoking & Health”, page 112: “Death rates for current pipe smokers were little if at all higher than for non-smokers, even with men smoking 10 pipefuls per day and with men who had smoked pipes for more than 30 years.” Additionally, earlier in that same report, as explained by earthplanet.org, pipe smokers who inhale live as long as nonsmokers and pipe smokers that don’t inhale live longer than non-smokers. Did you catch that? In other words, according to this report, the life expectancy for pipe smokers is actually longer than their non-smoking peers. Imagine that!
Unless someone is also an avid cigarette smoker and applies the same technique, cigar and pipe smokers are more inclined to “puff” and not inhale. The transfer of nicotine and the advantages of the tobacco are garnered from the contact of the tobacco with the tissues (specifically in the case of cigars) and the aromas that circulate (from either).
A hookah has long-standing tradition with a significant social element being shared throughout history from formal gatherings between diplomats and dignitaries to casual settings with family and friends. Also known as a shisha, this device heats tobacco over coals. The smoke is then drawn through the ornate pot, passing through water and a tube, by way of a mouthpiece. The water is thought to purify the smoke, making it safer than other vehicles. There is notably less risk of teeth staining that is often associated with chronic cigarette smoking. Additives such as honey, molasses, fruits, herbs, and spices have often been used which, when combined with the water, makes for a softer, more pleasant aroma than sometimes biting, straight smoke. Because there is typically only one mouthpiece that is shared, there is a possible risk of passing certain communicable diseases, orally. Even when not contaminated, this may be an uncomfortable ritual for those who are not on an intimate level.
Growing your own tobacco is supposed to be super easy, although I have yet to try it. There are plenty of resources online for DIYers, including this video. Doing so, of course, takes time but, I know from personal experience, having one’s own garden of any variety is very satisfying and you can be confident that it is up to the highest standards - yours. You can also simply purchase tobacco leaves and make your own semi-homemade products.
Regardless of the type of tobacco product you use, it’s important to be selective. What makes up a safe tobacco product? It is best to find ones additive free and flavored naturally rather than artificially. Non-GMO and pesticide free for sure but not necessarily organic. Why not organic? Because, unless the crops are rotated and actively use cover crops (not required with certification), sadly, in this case, organic doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best. By all means, if you can find a thoughtfully cultivated tobacco (and related products) that is also organic, that would be ideal and consider yourself lucky!
Is smoking a pack a day healthy? You tell me. Before you answer, consider these questions: is eating 20 bananas every day, day after day smart? What about having 20 steaks in a day, every day? I think you know where I’m going with this. Moderation is key.
SMOKELESS ALTERNATIVES
Just because smoke isn’t involved, doesn’t mean tobacco isn’t an ingredient. The obvious advantage to these methods is the lack of a cloud or, in certain cases, not scenting the environment (including your clothes and hair). Some versions are safer than others and, as with smoking tobacco, quality is everything.
Snus is a smokeless tobacco product that comes in pre-measured sachets that resemble miniature tea bags. It is especially popular in Sweden, Norway, and Indonesia. Though it may be confused with snuff or chewing tobacco, largely due to the mouth placement, it is not the same.
Snuff is finely cut tobacco that resembles a powder. It is typically moist and is administered by “dipping” with one’s fingers into a tin and pinching and pulling out a small amount to be placed directly between the lip and gum. Both Snus and Snuff offer the same perks of smoking tobacco without need for fire and have fewer risks as compared to chewing tobacco.
Chewing tobacco is available as coarsely ground tobacco or as what are known as plugs, bricks, or ropes. It placed between the cheek and lower lip and is either periodically chewed on or simply held in place. As saliva mixes with the tobacco and accumulates, it is usually spit out (though sometimes small amounts are intentionally/unintentionally swallowed).
Of these three variations of mouth tobaccos, Snus is the least likely to cause or contribute to health issues. For those wishing to have the health rewards of tobacco without smoke, this may be a solution.
Vaping (also known as electronic cigarettes or e-cigs) is a tobacco-less product that doesn’t produce smoke but a quickly dissipating plume of vapor. It contains nicotine which may be addictive, but the nicotine itself has no correlation to cancer. Provided you can find a reputable source, it can be a cleaner way to get your “nicotine fix”, especially compared to a poorly made, readily available, adulterated, commercial tobacco product.
Incidentally, although vaping is blamed for Bronchiolitis Obliterans, known colloquially as “popcorn lung”, this condition is actually most often caused by Diacetyl, an artificial butter-flavored food flavoring commonly found in buttery microwave popcorn and other artificially flavored foods. Only for a brief period of time were relatively small concentrations of Dactyl found in some e-cigarettes. On the surface, reports by mainstream media and big medicine will lead the public to believe that there is a direct link between popcorn lung and vaping but, if you research, read closely, and think for yourself, you will see that the truth is, “the exact cause for the EVALI [popcorn lung] cases hasn’t been identified” and “there have been no confirmed cases of popcorn lung linked to e-cigarettes”. Regardless, a little vaping goes a long way in realizing the health benefits of nicotine. Because of the concentrated amounts in e-cigarettes, more is not necessarily better.
A unique way to obtain nicotine without tobacco are toothpicks that have been infused with nicotine. One such vendible, made in America, is Pixotine. This well made brand is an inconspicuous way to get nicotine and comes in a variety of natural and artificial flavors. Other familiar OTC products, such as gums and patches, are popularly used in the cessation of smoking but also have a place in alternative approaches, such as when navigating seasonal illnesses.
ACCESSORIES
There are some pretty clever accessories that some will use to help make the experience of tobacco user-friendly. Here are just a few to consider:
Cigar holders
Cigar cutters
Foldable pipe stands
Pipe lighters
Smokeless ashtrays
Tar guards
WHY DO SOME PEOPLE SMOKE?
There may be any number of reasons why a person smokes. Here are a few:
Peer pressure, wanting to look “cool”
Modeling behavior of someone of influence whether a public figure or a personal connection
Bonding
Relaxing, stress relief
Relieves boredom
Weight management
Religious and Ceremonial purposes
Cravings
If you find yourself craving a smoke, it is worthwhile to look at what exactly your innate intelligence is asking for. To know what to identify, it helps to know the merits of tobacco.
SMOKING DOESN’T JUST CURE SALMON…
Tobacco is an ancient herb that contains medicinal properties, chief of which is nicotine. Notably, it is also high in antioxidants and, “Analysis of natural tobacco leaf has been shown to contain more than 3,000 endogenous plant organic and inorganic chemical compounds. Interestingly, among them are certain harmala alkaloids, which perform as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI-s). These prevent the breakdown of monoamine neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin and thereby increase their availability.”
Nicotiana rustica, one of its lesser known biological names, is a member of the nightshade family. It stands to reason that those with nightshade allergies would not tolerate tobacco. The tiny seeds grow into very large plants, easily 6-7’ tall, with leaves ranging 9" to 18" wide and 24" to 30" long, depending on the variety.
Tobacco is known, among other things, for its anti-inflammatory effects, increasing metabolic rate, and boosting certain hormones, such as testosterone, DHEA, and DHT and it has been used throughout the centuries for a range of conditions including:
Digestive issues such as gastric disorders, ulcerative colitis, and constipation
Mental Health, including anxiolytic effects
Neurological conditions including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s
Pain relief
Parasitic infestations
Preeclampsia
Preventing certain cancers
Respiratory illnesses and some allergic conditions
Weight management
Wound healing, including burns
Recently, it has been reported that it is helpful in warding off and the recovery of pathogens such as those involved with COVID and in restoring the sense of taste after having been infected. Considering it was used with favorable results during the plague, is this really a surprise?
Whether included in recipes or used as a poultice, tea, enema, compress, salve, inhalant, syrup, or chew, when used therapeutically, tobacco products have a suppressed yet successful history of improving health.
ASK YOURSELF
How many people do you know who have had a condition that is sometimes found in smokers and blamed on cigarettes but the person never smoked? My grandfather had emphysema and never smoked a day in his life nor was he ever around anyone who smoked. How did that happen? What about the person you know who has cancer of the mouth/throat that never used or was exposed to tobacco in any form? I know of two - one young and one middle aged. Or the person who had a heart attack who was never exposed to nicotine? I know numerous. These scenarios are very real and there are plenty of others like it. If you’re honest with yourself, I bet you can think of at least one instance.
If you are so certain that tobacco (and nicotine) is the primary contributor or culprit of all disease, ask yourself these questions:
In every single case, were health conditions, that were blamed on smoking, present before or after someone started smoking? How do you know these conditions didn’t pre-date the onset of tobacco use?
What kind of tobacco was used? Was it in the form of commercial cigarettes? If not, what was the source and how was it produced?
How many commercial cigarettes were smoked per day? How many depreciated tobacco products or smokeless alternatives were used?
What other lifestyle behaviors and food choices did the person indulge in? Did they work out every day? Did they eat a noble diet? Was their life completely stress free?
Did they have any comorbitities such as hormone imbalances, traumatic injuries, chronic infections, or blood disorders?
What type of environment did the person live in? Were they immersed in 5G or sitting next to a Wi-fi router all day, every day (EMF signals)?
What was their exposure to radiation? Did they have a lot of diagnostic tests that involved x-rays? Were they a frequent flier?
What was their vaccination status?
Were they exposed to harmful chemicals or toxins on their job such as embalming fluid, gasoline, adhesives, solvents, chlorine, diesel, fumes, sulfuric acid, asbestos?
Were they routinely exposed to poisons and hormone disruptors found in common, everyday products (e.g., fluoride, pesticides, GMO/bio-engineered foods, fertilizers, exhaust, BPA, plastic and Styrofoam containers - including water bottles and food storage, sunscreens, flame retardant clothing, artificial colors, paint, hairspray, hair dye, nail polish, cosmetics, household cleaning products, aluminum (foil and cookware), non-stick pans containing polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), toothpastes, soaps, anti-bacterial products and hand sanitizers that contain triclosan and triclocarban, or synthetic materials found in 60% of clothing)?
How long has tobacco been around? When did an uptick in smoking related illnesses began to surface? When did they noticeably appreciate? How many years did it take between the time that a correlation was made and the Public Health Cigarette Smoking Act was passed into law? Did it and all of the subsequent anti-smoking campaigns reduce the incident of diseases that are attributed to smoking?
Who stands to gain by tainting tobacco products?
Who stands to gain by creating a “safe” pharmaceutical version of the natural herb or its components, such as nicotine?
BEFORE YOU LIGHT UP
If you’re going to smoke or use nicotine, apply these guidelines for the best outcomes:
Smoke cigarettes made with non-carcinogenic paper and pure tobacco. Consider brands with zero excipients in the tobacco such as those made by Hestia (who will eventually offer plant-based filters).
Note that even the best made cigarettes in terms of contents (what is inside the paper) may still use a wrapper and/or filters that have undesirable additives or treatments. Do your research, ask questions, and choose wisely. To be honest, this is why, generally speaking, pipes and cigars are, in my opinion, superior.
Enjoy cigars with clean tobacco throughout, not rolled in paper or smoked through a filter
Use quality tobacco in a well-made pipe
Puffing on a pipe or a cigar is sufficient enough to transfer nicotine through your mouth and by exposure to the tobacco. Only inhale if you can guarantee that the product you are using is pure and devoid of any additives, excipients, chemicals, perfumes, and pesticides and if this exercise is done in moderation.
Start small (a little goes a long way) and limit smoking to a therapeutic dose – preferably only as needed if for a specific condition, for select occasions, or a few times a week, and do not exceed more than a couple of well-made cigarettes a day.
Consider burning tobacco in a manner similar to incense to enjoy the aroma and benefits of the herb without directly inhaling it.
Strive for hooka experiences that are wholesome. Expressly, watch out for the kind of charcoal used, what it is burning on (tin foil?), the additives, flavorings, and with whom you share the mouthpiece.
Vaping or a nicotine toothpick, patch or gum can be a “clean” way for uptake but watch out for unnecessary ingredients and remember that less is best.
OFF-SETTING THE DOWNSIDES
If you smoke in excess and are trying to cut back or, you have a history of smoking more than a therapeutic amount, it stands to reason that there may be ill-effects. Besides making sure you follow the guidelines offered above, here are some things to balance the consequences:
Swap out any mediocre products for premium. It may result in a higher price point but a) many find they smoke and crave less when they use a brand that is of the highest standard and b) you can at least be assured you are not exposing yourself to unnecessary and potentially dangerous additives.
Reduce your intake gradually and set limits. If you smoke 10 cigarettes a day, go to 9. After a few days, go to 8… This is far less stressful on the body than cutting back cold-turkey (when there is a clear dependency) and gives your system a chance to adapt to the new normal. If your goal is to quit smoking altogether, consider using an OTC product like nicotine gum or patches to bridge the transition.
Get your digestion in order, address the stress, and focus on the fundamentals of good health.
In addition to committing to a properly prepared, nutrient-dense, whole-food diet, you may wish to supplement with Vitamin C, B Vitamins (especially 3, 6, 12, and 9), Zinc, and Vitamins D & E - all of which can be depleted by smoking, placing special emphasis on B3 (nicotinamide) and Vitamin E. While all of these nutrients could stand to be replenished, the latter two are also said to combat nicotine cravings.
Using a salt inhaler, known as halotherapy, will help keep your lung function optimal and expectorate any build-up.
TOBACCO USERS AREN’T BAD PEOPLE
It’s time to remove the stigma associated with tobacco. There is ample evidence that demonstrates that, when thoughtfully curated and used responsibly, it can be a valuable adjunct therapy.
That being said, as with all tobacco products and smokeless alternatives, source, quality, and purity matters. Unless you can find an unadulterated form without pesticides, chemicals, additives, artificial flavorings, and excipients that is delivered in a reliable manner, I would avoid this habit. Otherwise, absent a medical condition that precludes you, enjoying a nice stogie, tobacco pipe, simply made cigarette, or unadulterated smokeless alternative can be a relaxing past time and complement a healthy lifestyle.
And for those who are wondering, yes, I do periodically (though admittedly rare) puff on a most beautiful pipe my children gifted me as a Christmas present one year. I will also smoke a non-commercial, “clean” cigarette once in a great (very great) while. My method of cigarette smoking is unconventional, however. I draw the filtered smoke, blow it into cupped hands, then inhale it. It is a gentler approach (loosely atomizing it) but still effective, especially in fighting nasal and chest congestion. Since I’m dishing on myself, I will add, I also get geeked about a good cigar but tend only to have them on commemorative occasions (which seems like nearly never). Because I enjoy them and I value their benefits, I might have to find new reasons to celebrate!
Tap that ash!
Marie Stumphauzer, FNTP
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Additional references:
Nicotine Itself Isn’t the Real Villian
Tobacco is the Chief Medicinal Plant in My Work
The rise and fall of tobacco as a botanical medicine
Medicinal Uses of Tobacco in History
A Tobacco Plant That Can Cure Cancer?
Tobacco Plant May Light The Way to Beating Cancer
The Rise and Fall of Smoking for Asthma
The Carbon Monoxide Paradox and Protective CO2 and Aging
Antiviral Activity of Tobacco Smoke Condensate on Encephalomyocarditis Infection in Mice
Antimicrobial activity of nicotine against a spectrum of bacterial and fungal pathogens
Nicotine as a BioHack
Nicotine May Help Asthma and Other Inflammatory Conditions
Nicotine, The Wonder Drug?
Protocols for early Treatment COVID and potentially other viral illness
'Nicotine' vs. 'Covid19'
Cigarette smoking has a positive and independent effect on testosterone levels
Effect of cigarette smoking on levels of bioavailable testosterone in healthy men
Nicotine use in schizophrenia: The self medication hypotheses
Study finds nicotine safe, helps in Alzheimer's, Parkinson's
Wild Game Recipe Wrapped in Tobacco Leaves
3 Ways To Use Tobacco In Your Sweet And Savory Dishes
The Health Benefits of Tobacco and Cutting Through The Anti-Smoking Propaganda
The Benefits of Nicotine & Caffeine by Richard Marsh
Health Benefits of Tobacco by Dr. William Douglass
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