Tobacco Industry Reveals 600 Ingredients in Cigarette Manufacturing

Strategic Insights -

The tobacco industry, led by R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., has released a list of 600 ingredients used in manufacturing cigarettes by six major U.S. cigarette manufacturers. The list includes a range of additives, such as flavors, sugars, and chemicals, that make up the general composition of cigarettes. According to the industry, more than 98% of the ingredients are approved as food additives by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and have been deemed safe for use in foods.

Key Takeaways:

  • The list of 600 ingredients includes additives such as flavors, sugars, and chemicals that make up the general composition of cigarettes.
  • More than 98% of the ingredients are approved as food additives by the FDA and have been deemed safe for use in foods.
  • The primary substances in cigarettes include tobacco, water, sugars, glycerin, propylene glycol, and licorice.
  • Additional ingredients, used for flavoring, make up about 0.02% of cigarettes.
  • Some chemicals on the list, such as ethyl-2-fluroate, freon-11, and methoprene, are banned by the FDA due to their toxicity.
  • A total of 13 chemicals on the list are banned by the FDA due to their potential harm to consumers.
  • The tobacco industry has faced pressure to be more forthcoming about the manufacture of cigarettes, following testimony from House Representative Henry Waxman about the industry's alleged withholding of information about cigarette ingredients and nicotine addiction.

Statistics:

  • 600: number of ingredients listed in the industry's release.
  • 98%: percentage of ingredients approved as food additives by the FDA.
  • 0.02%: percentage of cigarettes made up of additional flavoring ingredients.
  • 13: number of chemicals banned by the FDA due to their toxicity.
  • 440: number of representatives attending the March hearings chaired by Representative Henry Waxman.
  • 100%: percentage of tobacco in cigarettes, according to Reynolds.

Sources:

  • R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., April 13
  • U.S. Food and Drug Administration
  • Action on Smoking and Health
  • Representatives of the House of Representatives Energy and Commerce health and environment subcommittee
  • Philip Morris, Inc.