Glossary of Tobacco Product Terms

Newer Tobacco Products

E-Cigarettes – Product that contains nicotine cartridges, gives off a “vapor” as smoke and are rechargeable. These are not marketed as a nicotine replacement therapy or as a cessation aid, they are instead marketed as a competitor to cigarettes and the tobacco industry.

Snus – Marketed as a fresher form of chewing tobacco, it is recommended that these little pouches are kept cold. Each pouch, slightly resembling a tea bag, contains chewing tobacco (these are not a healthier alternative to regular chewing tobacco or cigarettes). Snus is marketed to be “spitless” tobacco.

Orbs – These nicotine candies are meant to deliver the drug by dissolving like a breath mint. They are made with “finely-milled tobacco” and food grade binders hold the ingredients together. Dissolves in about 15 minutes.

Sticks – Similar to a toothpick, they are made with “finely-milled tobacco” and food grade binders that hold the ingredients together. These can be used like a toothpick, or pieces can be placed in the cheek, where they will dissolve in about 10 minutes.

Strips – Yet another dissolvable way to get nicotine. Made with “finely-milled tobacco” and food grade binders that hold the ingredients together. These dissolve in about 3 minutes.

• There is no safe form of tobacco use.
• The new dissolvable products are NOT safe alternatives to smoking cigarettes/chewing tobacco.
• There have been concerns voiced about the dissolvable forms of tobacco posing a risk for nicotine poisoning (overdose) since they are likely to be perceived similarly to candy. In addition, if these products are flavored in such a way that is appealing to the consumer, they will want to consume more of them, much like how people eat multiple pieces of candy consecutively.

More Familiar Tobacco Products

Chew/Dip/Spit Tobacco – One type refers to a form of smokeless tobacco that is furnished as long strands or coarsely cut/shredded leaves that have to be actually chewed to release the flavor and nicotine. Another type, typically called Dip/Moist Snuff/Spit Tobacco, is also placed between the lip or cheek and gums, but does not need to be chewed. Saliva is enough to carry the nicotine to the bloodstream with this variety.

Cigars – tightly rolled bundle of tobacco that is dried and fermented. A couple major differences between cigars and cigarettes are below:

• The amount of tobacco (in grams) contained in each cigar is generally considerably greater than the amount in a cigarette.
• The degree of inhalation is often less when smoking a cigar (though this does NOT make it a healthier or safer product).
• Cigars often vary in size more than cigarettes, which are normally more uniform.
• Cigars also can take 1 to 2 hours to smoke, whereas most cigarettes are consumed in about 10 minutes.

Cigarillos – Cigars that are smaller and cheaper than the average sized ones. They are often sold as singles or in small size packages, thus appealing to teenagers who have less disposable income.

Pipes – Tool used for smoking. There are many different designs, made of various materials.

Beedi/Bidis – This thin, often flavored, Indian cigarette, is made of tobacco and wrapped in a tendu leaf. They are secured with a colored thread at one end. Seemingly “natural,” bidis do not contain additional chemicals, but they do deliver more tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide than standard cigarettes.

Kreteks – Also known as “Cloves” or “Clove Cigarettes” these resemble a cigarette, but the tobacco is blended with cloves and a “flavoring sauce.”

**There is no safe form of tobacco use**