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Q: Why does it seem like cigarette smoke is nastier in China?
In America, cigarette smoke bothered me a little. But even if I was in a smoke filled room, it wasn't that big a deal. However, any cigarette smoke I have breathed in China is horrible. It hurts my eyes and nose and smells bad. If someone is walking ahead of me, even 10 feet ahead or more, the smoke lingers for a long time and I can still smell it. If someone smokes near me, it's almost unbearable. What's the deal? Is the quality really bad? Are they made that differently?
12 years 24 weeks ago in Health & Safety - China
because the cigs here are more toxic. there are no set standards which is why the price range of cigs are 2rmb - 200rmb (maybe even higher)
as a smoker i noticed the difference and i am working to stop smoking the crap here
who knows what kind of toxic sludge they put in them just to turn a slightly better profit.
Western style cigarrettes are full of semi-carconogenic materials to make them burn, taste good and bring the punters back. They're often without strong taste or smell.
Cheap cigarrettes in China are definately more toxic than the more expensive ones.
I once saw a man collecting partially smoked cigarettes from ash trays outside a building in Hong Kong. Curious, I had a friend help me ask him, why was he collecting the cigarettes.
After much weaseling around and a 20HKD bribe, he told us that he extracts all of the tobacco from the cigarettes, mixes them together and then re-rolls them in branded papers so that his group can sell them as much more expensive cigarettes.
Remember, here, anything is fair as long as a potential profit is involved.
Xpat.John:
A long time ago in the US, salt peter was used in cigarettes in order to keep them lit. That was stopped when it was found out that salt peter is a sexual depressant for men. Do they use it here in China? I don't know. But it would go a long way to explain a study I read that said 50% of the men in China over 40 have impotency problems.
Because the cigarette smoke is mixed with Chinese air. Seriously. One gets the double whammy of air and smoke!
As a smoker I don't have to worry about really strong smells.
I actually like the Chinese cigarettes better than the ones at home.
Eewww! Lots of whining non smokers on here! If you love your lungs that much, go back to where you came from! 
dharma86, what brand do you smoke? I like Chung Hwa if I'm not paying for them. If I am buying I purchase Xuan Xi (Double Happiness), its like a Chinese Marlboro.
Always buy cigarettes that cost at least 11 RMB a pack or higher. I'm told those 6 and 8 RMB cigs contain floor sweepings and God knows what.
HK is ridiculous with smoking, its like the US, and you can't smoke anywhere. Shanghai and Guangzhou are not much better.
Thank God, I work the tier 3-4 cities where you smoke them anywhere if you have them.
I have found if you don't drink and smoke heavily (and go to Kareoke), it impedes business in China.
dharma86:
I smoke Furongwang, they are smooooooooth! I agree that smoking and drinking are heavily important in the non-major cities.
As a smoker I don't notice it, but I do notice when I semll someone smoking American cigarettes. Funny I notice the foul stench of pollution and rotten garbage in the air more.
I am quite sure there are more toxins in them here, but will the food, water and air as dirty as they are, this is the least of my concerns.
I also buy more expensive smokes here (25 RMB a pack).
Even though I need to quit, I must say it is sooo nice not being looked down upon here being a smoker as I do back home.
