Shelf life of cigarettes: do products with a filter have a closed and open pack, how long is it for flavored ones, what storage requirements do they have? Legal.Standard

Tobacco products belong to the category of food products. That is, the rules of manufacturing, transportation and storage are applicable to it by analogy. Regarding the last point, many buyers have a lot of questions. After all, the packages indicate only the date of manufacture, and not a word about the storage period.

At the same time, heavy smokers perceive the relevant information as a rule: if the expiration date is not indicated, it does not exist. And accordingly, use is not limited in any way.

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.

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.

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.

Is it possible to determine the delay?

First of all, you need to look at the production date; it is printed with a laser at the bottom of the pack (it is impossible to fake this font). Of course, cigarettes that have recently been put on sale can also be spoiled, so when opening the next pack, you need to pay attention to the smell. Normally, only the aroma of tobacco and paper should be present; low-quality products may smell of gasoline or other chemicals.

The cigarettes themselves should not have any stains or damage. It is important to remember that the only protection against the effects of toxins on the body is a filter, and if the product was stored in a damp room, it loses all its protective properties. Damp cigarettes smolder, emitting characteristic black smoke and an unusual sour smell.

Smoking has been a habit for many people for decades now. This process causes certain sensations in a person, which can most often be compared to pleasant ones, since to some extent the nicotine contained in tobacco has a relaxing and narcotic effect on the body. This raises the question of whether tobacco products spoil. If yes, what is the shelf life of cigarettes? Under what conditions should they be stored?

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.

Storage rules

To store tobacco products, you must follow certain recommendations:

The optimal temperature for keeping this product is from 15° to 23° . At higher temperatures, the tobacco dries out.
It must be stored in an airtight container or in a special case. Being outdoors is detrimental to tobacco products.
It is not allowed to keep tobacco products near heating devices or in the sun .
Humidity conditions must be observed. It should be no higher than 70-75% . Otherwise, the products will mold and turn rotten.
There is no need to place tobacco products near flavorings , since tobacco absorbs odors well.

Cigars and tobacco should not be placed in boxes coated with varnish or paint.

It is necessary to regularly move cigars so that there is no mustiness .
There is no need to store tobacco products in the refrigerator . It will be saturated with the smells of the products.

There are certain rules for keeping electronic cigarettes:

storage should be in a dry place without moisture;
you need to charge the device regularly;
refill the cartridge correctly;
do not take more than 15 puffs per minute;
the first enemies of e-liquid are light, heat and air;
It is better to place the liquid in glass containers. For long-term storage it can be frozen.

Read about how dangerous the food additive E 476 is to health here.

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.

What is the shelf life of cigarette products and is there any?

There are no specific legislative acts regulating the shelf life of tobacco products . However, there is federal law N 268-FZ “Technical Regulations on Tobacco Products”, adopted in 2008. It establishes requirements for tobacco products, rules for their identification, methods and forms of assessment.

In particular, Article 9 “Requirements for the content of information for consumers of tobacco products” states that the packaging must contain information about the date of manufacture of cigarettes and cigarettes, which cannot be sealed with anything or covered in other ways.

GOST 3935-2000 has also been developed, which defines general technical conditions for cigarettes. It also states that the manufacturer must place information on the month and year of its manufacture on packs and boxes of goods.

Markings include:

product name;
trademark, if any;
name and location of the manufacturer and licensor (if any).

Attention. The packaging of cigarettes must have an inscription warning about the dangers of consuming the product, “Smoking kills”; it must occupy at least 30% of the area of the large side of the pack.

All information must be presented in Russian, it is possible to repeat it in others or use letters of the Latin alphabet when indicating the manufacturer, licensor and name of the cigarettes. The text on a trademark or industrial design is written in the language of registration. At the same time, the safety of products during storage, transportation and sale must be ensured.

Neither federal law nor GOST oblige you to indicate information about expiration dates, but the latter document clearly states the storage conditions for tobacco products, including:

the premises should be dry and clean;
Cigarettes should not be stored in the same place as perishable and odorous products;
relative air humidity should not be higher than 70%;
the floor in the warehouse is located at a height of at least half a meter from ground level;
boxes with cigarettes should be placed on pallets, beams or other structures 10 cm from the floor (minimum), there must be gaps for air circulation;
deformation of the bottom drawer must be eliminated.

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.

Does strength lose over time?

The strength of cigarettes is a purely subjective taste characteristic .

There is a whole classification of cigarettes by strength, which depends on the amount of nicotine and the type of tobacco.

Also, saturation at the same nicotine content may decrease depending on the number of special holes in the filter.

For cigarettes that contain impurities, the strength will be lost over time .

Cigars are specially aged for a certain period of up to 6 months so that the taste when smoking is more rich and strong.

The strength depends on proper storage and the presence of impurities in the composition of the cigarette product.

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.

How to store cigars in a humidor

Containers for storing cigars are called humidors. They are presented in a fairly wide range. The price of such a product depends on the type of material from which it is made, finishing, and workmanship. Prices for original works made from expensive wood species can be very high.

Basically, the partitions in such boxes are made of Spanish cedar. The ability of the wood of this tree to absorb various odors was noticed a long time ago. At the same time, the partitions absorb excess moisture and, if necessary, release it to the cigars. Therefore, the wood is not processed in any way (sanding, polishing, various coatings prevent normal moisture absorption).

A high-quality humidor should make a dull sound when the lid is slammed shut. If its bottom is lined with velvet on the outside, this is an additional plus for the product. This measure helps to maintain the polish of the shelf on which space will be allocated for the container.

Another way to check the tightness of the humidor lid is to insert a landscape sheet into it so that its edges are visible from the outside, and slam it shut. Then you should pull the paper towards you. If you can’t pull out the sheet, you can have no doubt about the quality of the humidor.

Use a humidifier to maintain a normal level of humidity in your cigar storage box. In its special compartment there is a sponge that needs to be moistened periodically. If we are talking about an expensive case, it contains a special electrical device that is responsible for the humidity indicator. This way you won't have to do anything manually.

To moisten any type of humidor, use exclusively distilled water to prevent mold from forming inside it. You will also need to replace the humidifier annually and wipe all surfaces of the container with a soft cloth moistened with distilled water.

The presence of a hygrometer in a container with tobacco products is necessary. This device measures the humidity level, based on which normal storage conditions for cigars are maintained.

You can purchase an air humidifier with a hygrometer in a specialized store and install them yourself in any suitable container that is already available in the house.

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.

Can cigarettes go bad over time?

Of course, cigarettes are not a food product, and you can only be poisoned by them if you smoke several packs in a row. But it is worth remembering the complex chemical composition of tobacco. As everyone knows, any chemical compounds over time and under adverse external influences either disintegrate into their constituent elements or combine into new ones.

It is believed that cigarettes have an unlimited shelf life. Therefore, the pack shows the date of production, but not the date of final sale.

As far as the legal framework is concerned, such an omission is not considered a violation. This is either because there have not yet been studies done on what happens to tobacco over time, or because there have been no complaints about poor quality products. In this case, all hope remains on the consciousness of suppliers, sellers and the attentiveness of the buyer, because there are simply no products with an unlimited sales period.

How long cigarettes can be stored depends on a number of reasons:

The shelf life of a particular pack depends on the quality of the tobacco;
From the quantity and quality of additives, aromatic impurities;
The suitability of cigarettes is directly related to storage conditions.

Two more ways to determine the age of cigarettes

Price. As a rule, the smoker knows exactly the price of tobacco products, which does not differ in different stores. Therefore, if a pack of cigarettes is significantly cheaper, we can conclude that it is an old purchase.

Pack design. Most well-known brands update the appearance of their cigarette packs at least once a year. The changes may be minor, but they are always there. People who prefer to buy the same cigarettes probably know the history of changes in the appearance of their favorite product, so returning to the old one really indicates that the cigarettes are stale.

Useful video

At the same time, heavy smokers perceive the relevant information as a rule: if the expiration date is not indicated, it does not exist. And accordingly, use is not limited in any way.

Types and terms

The tobacco industry offers a huge list of varieties of forms, smells, and strengths:

with or without filter;
flavored;
light or strong;
thin (female version).

Despite the fact that there is no strict government regulation of the period of use, it is believed that the optimal time for the product to retain its original properties is 1 year.

After this time, tobacco loses its pronounced aroma and strength, and the effect of smoking will be spoiled.

Once opened, the pack is not stored for long: constant interaction with oxygen is detrimental to tobacco.

ADVICE! Do not store the package for longer than 2-3 months after opening.

Such time frames apply to the so-called reconstituted product, when the dried leaf of the plant is crushed to dust and subjected to additional processing. As you know, it is not of the best quality even among high-priced cigarettes.

Slightly different rules for tobacco, which is sold separately. Its quality is better, it goes through much fewer stages, which means it is more natural.

Can be stored under appropriate conditions for 2 years. The smoking effect is brighter, the aroma and astringency are clearly expressed. The consumer can control the amount of raw materials himself.

How long can I use before and after opening?

In fact, the shelf life of hookah tobacco is set for 2 main conditions:

It can be stored in packaging for 1-3 years. For most brands this period is 2 years.
If the packaging is opened (broken), the period is set to no more than 6 months.

The following factors influence the shelf life:

Composition of the mixture. The most significantly reduces the safety of molasses, fruit additives, and flavorings. Glycerin can act as a preservative, increasing shelf life. Tombak, which contains no additives, has the longest shelf life (up to 3 years). Products such as Massil and Zhurak can be stored for no more than 2 years.
Package. It can be different: sealed bags, cardboard boxes, foil, tin and plastic containers. The best preservation is ensured by sealed containers. Shorter storage times are ensured in cardboard boxes.

The shelf life also depends on storage conditions. Direct sunlight, which decomposes glycerin, is harmful to tobacco. Temperature has a significant influence. For long-term storage, it is necessary to ensure a temperature below plus 10 degrees, which is provided in the refrigerator. It is important to remember that hookah tobacco cannot be frozen in the freezer.

Damage to tobacco due to improper storage

Damage to raw materials should always be avoided. With large volumes, damage to the sheet cannot be avoided. With proper storage, the percentage of spoiled leaves does not exceed 10%.

Taste and aroma properties of spoiled tobacco leaves change. Toxic substances can also be formed that can cause damage to health.

Types of tobacco spoilage:

Mold formation
The appearance of rot
Preciousness
Insect infestation

When rot or mold appears on one leaf, the infection can quickly spread to other leaves. Therefore, from time to time, raw materials should be inspected to determine damage to the sheet. Damaged leaves should be disposed of immediately.

Signs of tobacco spoilage:

Unnatural color. Light or dark plaque can be a symptom of mold.
Presence of insects in tobacco. These can be larvae, small bugs, midges.
Unpleasant smell. If an unpleasant moldy or putrid odor appears, it is necessary to urgently find and eliminate the cause.
Formation of moisture at the bottom of the container. If you have noticed moisture at the bottom of the container where tobacco is stored, this means that the raw material is over-moistened. Open the lid of the container and dry the leaves. Excess moisture can cause mold to form.