Expiration date of cigarettes depending on packaging
The shelf life of products in open and closed packages is significantly different.
In a closed package
If they are in a protective film, light and moisture will not affect their original state, so they can be kept in the package for much more than a year.
Information should be clarified on the packaging; usually the plant does not limit consumers in time. In rare cases, dates from 1 to 2 years are set.
After opening
If you open a package, you should think about what products you shouldn’t keep it next to. Try to avoid perishable foods that have a strong or pungent odor. Because of this proximity, tobacco products can lose their aroma, interrupt the taste, and also change their appearance for the worse. Flavors in cigarettes with buttons or capsules may even deteriorate.
What is regulated
At the state level, the requirements for tobacco products are regulated by GOST 3935-2000 “Cigarettes. General technical conditions". It contains detailed information about the appearance, packaging, and composition of the product. The length of cigarettes and filters is regulated. Methods for determining humidity, transportation and storage conditions are given.
GOST 30422-96 (ISO 3612-75) “Tobacco and tobacco products. Cigarettes. Determination of free burning rate" lists methods, instruments, and test results.
The regulatory act that a consumer of tobacco products can rely on is the Federal Law of February 7, 1992, No. 2300-1 “On the Protection of Consumer Rights.” It guarantees citizens of the Russian Federation the protection of legitimate interests when purchasing products of poor quality, and compensation for harm after consumption. The only problem is proving the connection between deteriorating health and product quality: after all, even a product produced to high standards causes damage to the human body.
Shelf life of filter cigarettes
Filters to reduce the amount of harmful tar and nicotine are now used in their production by almost all well-known brands (Kiss, Parliament, Camel, Esse, ld, Richmond, Winston, etc.). Interestingly, they appeared only in 1927.
The filter has the property of hygroscopicity, that is, it has the ability to absorb moisture and unpleasant odors. If stored incorrectly, it will not only not protect, but, on the contrary, harm your health.
Does it exist?
Do cigarettes have an expiration date?
Manufacturers of tobacco products do not indicate the expiration date on the packaging, but they are required to indicate in accordance with Federal Law No. 268, which approved the “Technical Regulations for Tobacco Products” of 2008.
For cigarettes, the main thing is not the period, but the storage conditions. The recommended storage period is 6-12 months .
But even with this period, they may lose their consumer properties if storage rules have not been taken into account.
Impurities are usually added to tobacco products to speed up the combustion process. They are also supplemented with flavorings, which shorten its shelf life. Cigarettes contain a filter necessary to absorb harmful compounds in inhaled smoke.
The filter is characterized by hygroscopicity. In an open package, it absorbs moisture and odors, and when smoking not only does not protect, but also harms health even more. Such cigarette products are unsuitable for consumption .
Tobacco is stored much longer than finished products made from it, as it goes through several processing methods. Its shelf life also depends on the presence of impurities in it.
If there are no additives in tobacco, it can retain its properties for decades. If it contains flavorings, the shelf life is limited to 2-3 years .
Nicotine is an alkaloid produced from tobacco.
It makes up up to 5% of the mass of dry tobacco and is included in the liquid for refilling electronic cigarettes.
Like any product, it also tends to deteriorate , and if not maintained correctly, it loses its properties.
How long can eggs be stored in the refrigerator? Find out the answer right now.
Why can cigarettes spoil?
According to SANPIN standards, the air temperature in the room where cigarettes are stored should be from +15 to +24. Humidity: 60–70%. Due to a lack of moisture, these products can dry out, and due to its excess, they can become damp or moldy. And of course, it is necessary to exclude exposure to sunlight. At home, in a warehouse or during transportation, it is very difficult to comply with all these conditions, so some brands set optimal storage times. Manufacturers such as Alliance Modern, Marlborough, Winston, Kiss, Vogue, Java, Bond, Kent, Camel, Parliament recommend storing their products for no more than 12 months.
Shelf life of electronic cigarettes
Recently they have gained great popularity, so there is a question about their service life. Here we will talk about two parameters: the operating time of the electronic device and the shelf life of the liquid for it. As for the first, the service life of the device itself is 2 years. It is believed that this is the amount of time this device will work uninterruptedly and efficiently. But you should follow a number of rules to extend the service life:
- keep away from moisture and bright sunlight;
- charge regularly;
- continuously monitor the heating elements and steam generator;
- do not mix flavors;
- monitor the condition of the liquid and cartridges.
The best solution is to store this device in a protective case. This way it will be protected from harmful environmental influences.
Vape
There are no laws or regulations that clearly define when to use flavored vape juice.
If we take into account the shelf life of the products that are part of the liquid (propylene glycol and glycerin), we can assume that it is approximately 1-2 years. Ideally, use it within the first year.
If an unpleasant odor or sediment appears, liquid flavorings should not be used in any case. It is better to store vape liquid in a special container, in a place protected from sunlight and away from strong-smelling products.
IQOS and cartridge systems
IQOS is a smoking system in which tobacco does not burn, but heats up. Due to this, the smoker receives the usual dose of nicotine, while inhaling steam rather than smoke. It is believed that IQOS does not cause as much harm to human health as regular cigarettes. IQOS uses tobacco sticks, which are sold separately from the smoking system. The sticks include a filter and a bag of tobacco. It is specially designed to burn at lower temperatures than conventional cigarettes.
Cartridge systems have appeared on the market relatively recently, but are already very popular among consumers. This is because the cartridges consume liquid economically, come in different flavors and require minimal user interaction during maintenance. Such an electronic device will serve you for at least two years. Manufacturers advise using nicotine salt e-liquid, which more actively supplies the body with the substance and reduces the vaping time.
To properly store such liquid, especially at home, it is recommended to use a tightly closed container. Ideally, the slurry should be placed in a place that is dry and cool, such as a refrigerator. Such e-liquid will quench the vaper’s nicotine “thirst” much faster, and its consumption will be much less.
Is it possible to smoke expired products?
It is known that smoking is a bad habit, but society’s attitude towards it is quite tolerant, so it is common among both sexes and all ages. A particularly negative impact is exerted by:
- resin;
- chemical elements: carbon oxide and monoxide, hydrogen cyanide;
- radiation components.
They increase their harmful effects on the body after a long period of storage. Toxins have a much greater effect on the lungs, respiratory tract, and central nervous system when inhaled.
Carcinogenic compounds in cigarette tars become more aggressive and increase the risk of cancer. Expired goods contribute to the development of chronic cough and bronchitis.
Toxic gases provoke oxygen starvation by binding to hemoglobin. Because of this, the smoker will experience shortness of breath from the slightest physical exertion.
IMPORTANT! Smoking expired products is strictly prohibited.
Terms of other tobacco products
In addition to the options we are used to, many people use other types of tobacco. For example, snus, rolling and pipe tobacco, chewing and snuff, cigars, etc. Naturally, each of these types has its own storage period. Snus remains usable for only 7-10 days when opened.
Tobacco used to fill pipes lasts much longer than cigarette tobacco. It depends on the variety: the packaged plug retains its properties for up to several decades before expiration. For example, Virginian - three to four years. Interestingly, its properties improve during this time, because it has the ability to ripen.
Rolled cigarettes, bidis, cigarillos, cigarettes, shag are homemade products with a recommended storage period of 6 months to infinity. This is determined by the raw materials wrapped in them.
If we talk about Cuban cigars, there is an opinion that their lifespan is unlimited. But true Havana lovers are confident that even if all standards are followed, it does not exceed two to three years.
Useful video
Tobacco products are classified as durable goods. Of the climate regime indicators, the most important is relative air humidity, since tobacco products, including tobacco and paper, are characterized by increased hygroscopicity. They can absorb a significant amount of water (up to 20% of the original mass) and become moldy.
The optimal RHV for tobacco products is 65.0 ± 5.0% without sudden changes. The storage temperature for most types of tobacco products should be stable and not exceed 18-20 °C. At higher temperatures and lower RHV, a partial loss of aromatic substances occurs, which worsens the taste and aroma of the smoke.
Shelf life of hookah tobacco
The shelf life of hookah tobacco Adalya, Serbetli, DarkSide, Starbuzz, and others (this also includes nicotine-free mixtures Soex, Leyla, Dali) depends on the integrity of the packaging and storage conditions. A well-packed item can last from 3 years to infinity (this is determined by the manufacturer).
If the box is opened, it is safe to store for only five to six months.
In order for it not to lose its qualities, a number of requirements must be met:
- keep it in an airtight jar,
- in a dark, cool, well-ventilated place,
- with a temperature of 15-20 degrees Celsius.
Nothing bad will happen if you smoke hookah mixture with an expiration date. Most likely, you will not like its aroma and you will not experience any pleasure.
Tobacco strength and time
Can the strength of a tobacco product be lost during long-term storage? Do not forget that the perception of tobacco, in particular the feeling of its strength, is absolutely subjective and depends on individual taste perception. The tobacco industry has developed a whole scale by which the strength of cigarette products is determined. And it depends on the type of tobacco and the amount of nicotine in it.
By the way, the saturation of different cigarettes can vary even with the same nicotine volume. The presence and configuration features of the filter play a role here. If tobacco contains various additional impurities, their strength will decrease during long-term storage .
But as for cigars made from “pure” tobacco leaves, time only adds strength to them. It is not without reason that cigars, which are famous for their rich taste and bright tobacco aroma, must be aged for some time (it can be up to six months) before being released for sale.
How to identify expired tobacco
Heavy smokers can immediately determine the age of a cigarette. Fresh products have a bitter taste and astringency, the smell is pleasant and very rich. Even if you haven’t lit it, but you feel a strong aroma, it means you made it quite recently.
Appearance can tell a lot. For example, if the filter is not bright yellow, faded, it is most likely no longer fresh. Tissue paper should not “give off” yellowness, its color should be pure white. The tobacco of a fresh product should be evenly packed over the entire surface and not spill out.
