This article is about the small paper-
wrapped cylindrical object used for
smoking. For other uses,
see Cigarette (disambiguation).
"Cig" redirects here. For other uses,
see Cig (disambiguation).
An unlit, filtered cigarette
A cigarette is a small cylinder of
finely cut tobacco leaves that are
rolled into thin paper for smoking.
The cigarette is ignited at one end,
causing the cigarette to smolder and
allowing smoke to be inhaled from
the other end, which is held in or to
the mouth. In some cases,
a cigarette holder may be used, as
well. Most modern manufactured
cigarettes are filtered, and also
include reconstituted tobacco and
other additives.[1]
The term cigarette, as commonly
used, refers to a tobacco cigarette
but can apply to similar devices
containing other substances, such as
a cannabis cigarette. A cigarette is
distinguished from a cigar by its
smaller size, use of processed leaf,
and paper wrapping, which is
normally white, though other colors
and flavors are also available. Cigars
are typically composed entirely of
whole-leaf tobacco.
Rates of cigarette smoking vary
widely throughout the world and have
changed considerably since
cigarettes were first widely used in
the mid-19th century. While rates of
smoking have over time leveled off or
declined in the developed world, they
continue to rise in developing
nations.[2][3]
Nicotine is the primary psychoactive
chemical in tobacco, which is used to
manufacture cigarettes. Nicotine is
the drug component of cigarettes and
is very addictive.[4]About half of
cigarette smokers die of tobacco-
related disease[5] and lose on
average 14 years of life.[4] Cigarette
use by pregnant women has also
been shown to cause birth defects,
including low birth weight, fetal
abnormalities, and premature
birth.[6] Second-hand smoke from
cigarettes has been shown to be
irritating and dangerous to people in
the immediate vicinity,[7][8][9][10] which
has led to legislation and policy that
has prohibited smoking in many
workplaces and public areas. The
smoke produced is an aerosol that
contains over 4,000 distinct chemical
 compounds, including nicotine, o 3.3Additives  14External links
carbon monoxide o 3.4Cigarette tube
and acrolein.[11] Over 50 of these o 3.5Cigarette filter
are carcinogenic.[12] Cigarettes are a o 3.6Cigarette butt
frequent source of house fires, which  4Environmental impact
prompted both the European o 4.1Aquatic life health concerns
Union and the United States to ban o 4.2Other health concerns
cigarettes that are not fire-standard o 4.3Degradation
compliant from 2011 onwards.[13][14] o 4.4Biodegradation
o 4.5Factors in biodegradation
Contents o 4.6Photodegradation
[hide] o 4.7Solution and remediation
projects
 1History
 5Consumption
 2Legislation
 6Lights
o 2.1Smoking restrictions
 7Notable cigarette brands
o 2.2Smoking age
 8Health effects
o 2.3Taxation
o 8.1Smokers
o 2.4Fire-safe cigarette
o 8.2Second-hand smoke
o 2.5Cigarette advertising
 9Smoking cessation
o 2.6Warning messages in packages
 10Replacement
 3Construction
 11See also
o 3.1Paper
 12References
o 3.2Tobacco blend
 13Further reading