Tobacco Cigarettes, like any natural product, have a shelf life; while this shelf life can last quite a long time, the cigarettes start to dry out the moment you break the seal. An unopened pack of cigarettes should stay fresh for as long as two years - however, we know you've bought it to smoke, so that's not a consideration.
You may not realize it, but the actual tobacco production process is designed to dry out the leaves; this process allows for chemical changes to take place in the leaves, which allows for a smoother, less harsh smoking experience. However, the producers are careful not to let the produce dry out wholly; to halt the process, they seal the smoking tobacco in an airtight package at the right moment.
How cigarettes stops being fresh
As soon as you open the pack, the drying process starts again; everyone smokes a pack at a different rate, so while some will consume the pack in a matter of days, it might take others a week or two to finish it off.
No matter how quickly you smoke, we'd recommend working to keep your tobacco in the best possible state - after all, you've spent hard-earned money on this smoke, so you should get to enjoy it in peak condition.
Our Recommendation
Place the stale cigarettes in a Mason jar with either of the brands, as mentioned earlier, 72% RH Humidors, overnight to enjoy a freshened-up morning smoke!
This will also work well for cigars, from brands like Prime Time Little Cigars.
For those of you on the go, opting for the small format humidor and throwing it inside the cigarette pack should help slow the drying process while you're still going at your pack.
Methods to stop cigarettes from drying out
While you can't stop the drying-out process, you can introduce humidity to keep the tobacco fresh. Some methods suggest using a fine mist sprayer to squirt a little water directly onto the cigarettes.
However, this can firstly overly dampen the cigarettes and change the flavour profile. This also might result in you having to dry out the cigarettes using paper towels or a cloth towel, so it is not an ideal situation.
The industry standard recommendation is to use a humidity control packet to introduce humidity into the atmosphere where you store your tobacco or place the cigarettes in a mason jar and throw in the humidity control packet, also known as a "Humidor." These are simple and readily available.
The most recognizable brands are Boveda and Integra, specifically the 72% RH.
1. Boveda
Boveda is well-known for its humidity control packs. These packs use a patented two-way humidity control technology. They can either release or absorb moisture in order to maintain a specific humidity level, which is crucial for storing items like cigars, musical instruments, and even food.
Boveda packs are available in different humidity levels to cater to various needs, and they are widely praised for their ease of use and effectiveness. They don't require any maintenance or refilling, making them a convenient option for humidors. We recommend the 72% RH Humidors.
2. Integra
Integra also offers humidity control solutions, similar to Boveda. Their products, like the Integra Boost Humidiccant, maintain the desired humidity level within a closed environment such as a humidor.
Integra Boost packs are also two-way humidity control systems, meaning they can either add or remove moisture to maintain the set humidity level. They are often used for storing cigars, herbal medicines, and other moisture-sensitive goods, cigarettes included.
Integra products are known for being non-toxic and salt-free, an advantage for certain applications. Again, we recommend the 72% RH Humidor.
Both Boveda and Integra are highly regarded for their ability to maintain stable humidity levels, which is essential for the preservation and quality maintenance of tobacco & herbal products. The choice between the two often comes down to personal preference or specific requirements.