You may have seen cigarettes advertised as “organic,” “natural” or “additive free” and wondered if they are healthier than other cigarettes. The answer from health experts is a clear “NO.” These cigarettes have the same harmful substances as other cigarettes like heavy metals, tar and carbon monoxide. Any kind of tobacco you burn and inhale is harmful to your health. 

Many people mistakenly believe that organic tobacco is safer than other tobacco. For example, one study showed that 64% of people who smoked “organic” Natural American Spirit brand cigarettes believed their cigarettes were less harmful than other cigarettes. When asked why they think organic cigarettes are safer, people who smoke say organic tobacco is less processed than other tobacco, contains fewer chemicals or is more natural. The taste of these cigarettes also affects how people who smoke perceive them. This leads some people to believe organic cigarettes are less harmful to smoke than other cigarettes. This is a misunderstanding and there is no evidence to support this is the case.  

If “organic” doesn’t mean the tobacco is healthier, what does it mean? Organic tobacco just means the tobacco was grown to meet U.S. Department of Agriculture Organic Standards. This typically means it was grown without using certain fertilizers, pesticides or other chemicals. However, when it is burned, it still releases the same harmful substances as non-organic tobacco.  

While cigarette sales have decreased overall in recent years, sales for cigarettes marketed with terms like “natural,” “organic” or “tobacco and water” have in some cases increased. Because of their increasing sales and people’s misunderstanding about what “organic” tobacco means as it relates to health, some organizations have urged the Food and Drug Administration to stop allowing tobacco companies to market their products as organic.  

Switching to organic cigarettes will not reduce your risk of getting a tobacco-related disease. Instead, you should quit smoking completely. Quitting smoking is one of the best decisions you can make for your health, and there are a lot of resources available to help you live a tobacco-free life. If you’re looking to quit smoking, you can start by speaking with your healthcare provider or by checking out the tools and resources here.