Smoking Outside in the Winter: What You Need to Know

Key Takeaways:

• Cigarettes burn quickly and taste flat if you are smoking them in the cold. This happens because the air dries the tobacco.
• To enjoy a good smoke in the winter, follow our expert advice on the right environment, duration, and other paraphernalia.
• How you store your favourite smokes also determines how fresh the tobacco stays before you’re ready to smoke.
• Our curated tips can help you stay comfortable and enjoy your cigarette even in the chilliest of Canadian winters.

Smoking outside in winter is certainly not for the faint of heart. But when the need arises and you cannot smoke indoors for whatever reason, you just need to put on another thick jacket and brave the Canadian cold.

Except winters in Canada can get a little too chilly to properly enjoy a smoke. That’s why we made this guide on smoking in the cold. Follow our tips; enjoying your tobacco shouldn’t be too difficult, even during the frosty months of the year.

Changes in Taste and Smoking Experience

During winters, it’s not just the air that feels sharper. The smoke also hits harder. At the same time, it tastes a little off. If you have experienced this, know that it’s not your imagination. Cold air actually numbs your taste buds and tightens your airways. So, every puff feels harsh on the throat and lungs.

The dry winter air also draws moisture from the tobacco. That’s why you’ll notice cigarettes burn faster on colder days. If you’re in a rush, that might be perfect. But it’s not so great if you actually want to taste the tobacco. For cigar or pipe lovers, smoking in the cold can mellow the aroma too much. As the oil in the tobacco thickens in the cold, it dulls the rich flavours.

If you want to get the most out of your smokes, don’t light up straight out of your coat pocket. Give your cigarette a few minutes to warm up indoors before heading out. This will help it retain the flavour. That applies even if you’re braving the cold with one hand on your lighter and the other stuffed in your jacket.

Stay Safe While Smoking in the Cold

It’s not the smartest decision to go out for a smoke when it’s freezing outside. But if you’re going to smoke outside in the winter anyway, you need to follow these tips to stay safe:

• Find a sheltered space. Pick a well-ventilated area that blocks the chilly wind. But never smoke in closed garages or enclosed patios; carbon monoxide isn’t your friend.
• Protect your fingers. Use proper cigar gloves or any other gloves with grip. You don’t want to get frostbite or burn marks from cigarette embers.
• Watch for temperature drops. Extreme subzero conditions (-10°C or below) are hard on your lungs. It makes the smoke harsh and irritates your airways.
• Shorten your sessions. Don’t smoke in the cold for long periods. A quicker smoke keeps you warmer and limits irritation from the cold air.
• Mind the wind. Cold gusts can send ashes flying farther than you expect. Use an ashtray with a lid or a portable windbreak to contain the ashes.
• Sip something hot. Tea, coffee, and even cocoa can soothe your throat and bring back some taste that winter steals away.

Tips for Storing Your Cigarettes in Winter

Stale cigarettes never taste good. And a cold, dry climate makes them go stale faster. That’s why you should store your cigarettes properly. To keep your tobacco fresh before smoking in the cold, always:

• Keep your cigarettes at room temperature. If you store tobacco at 15-21°C, it stays pliable. The oils don’t congeal anymore, and the flavour remains intact.
• Maintain moderate humidity. Around 60% should do. Dry air dulls flavour and aroma. So keep a small humidifier or damp sponge nearby.
• Avoid freezing your cigarettes. Extreme cold makes tobacco brittle. The condensation that occurs during thawing can also damage the paper and cause mould.
• Use airtight containers. Before you are ready to smoke in the cold, glass jars or vacuum-sealed bags help protect tobacco from moisture fluctuations.
• Keep your cigarettes away from heat. Avoid radiators, windows, or heaters. Heat ruins tobacco oils faster than cold ever does.
• Check your humidor more often. If you like cigars, you need to refill or replace humidity packs every couple of weeks because they dry out quickly in the arid winter air.

Stay Comfortable and Enjoy Your Smoke

Smoking outside is always better than doing it inside. Especially in the winter. Since people keep their doors and windows closed during the colder months, smoking inside means trapping the smoke within your house. Passive smoke is bad for the non-smokers in your family. That’s why we support smoking outside in winter.

But smoking in the Canadian cold takes grit (and some solid woollens). The cold nips at your fingers and your insides. But there’s still comfort in a quiet smoke break while the snow falls. As long as you follow our tips, the comfort will last. To get the most out of your filtered or unfiltered cigarettes, be smart about where you store them and how you smoke them. And you’re good!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it bad to smoke during cold weather?

Smoking in the cold can be hard on your lungs and airways when they may already be compromised. Consider holding out for less extreme temperatures or taking precautions to keep as warm as possible outside. 

Which cigarette to smoke during cold weather?

For smoking outside in winter, we suggest menthol cigarettes. Menthol triggers the cold-sensitive nerves in your skin, and its cooling effect can help decrease the cough reflex. So it may soothe the dry throat feeling smokers usually have.