Addiction Nicotine Use The Inside of Cigarettes The Risks of Rolling Tobacco By Terry Martin Terry Martin Facebook Twitter Terry Martin quit smoking after 26 years and is now an advocate for those seeking freedom from nicotine addiction. Learn about our editorial process Updated on April 25, 2021 Medically reviewed Verywell Mind articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and mental healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Armeen Poor, MD Medically reviewed by Armeen Poor, MD Armeen Poor, MD, is a board-certified pulmonologist and intensivist. He specializes in pulmonary health, critical care, and sleep medicine. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Basic Facts Why People Use It Ingredients Rolling vs. Regular Health Risks Laws and Regulations As of Dec. 20, 2019, the legal age limit is 21 years old for purchasing cigarettes, cigars, or any other tobacco products in the U.S. Many smokers believe that rolling your own cigarettes is a way to cut back on smoking and/or avoid the harmful chemicals that are in commercially produced regular filtered cigarettes. But there's no such thing as a healthy smoking option, and rolling tobacco is no exception. Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin The Basics of Rolling Tobacco Roll-your-own (RYO) cigarettes are hand-rolled and made with loose tobacco. Other names for RYO cigarettes include rollies, roll-ups, burns, and rolls. There are a few ways to make hand-rolled cigarettes, such as using cigarette papers and loose tobacco, or using a rolling machine to make a uniform and more tightly packed cigarette. Preformed cigarette tubes can also be filled with loose tobacco and smoked—both with and without filters. Reasons to Roll Your Own Cigarettes Some common reasons smokers prefer RYO cigarettes include: Cost: A pouch of rolling tobacco and cigarette papers is much cheaper than buying brand-name or generic cigarettes.Image: There is a perception in some social circles that people who roll their own cigarettes are "edgy" and non-traditional. A 2018 study in Ireland published in BMC Public Health found that the "artisanal" appeal of RYO cigarettes is another reason why young people use them.Perception of health: Some smokers may assume that RYO cigarettes are healthier because they believe them to be more "natural." However, the current body of evidence has shown that RYO cigarettes are just as risky to a smoker's health as regular ones. Ingredients RYO cigarettes contain additives and dangerous chemicals. Whether it's coming from a regular or RYO cigarette, tobacco smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals, at least 250 of which are known to be harmful. Some toxins to be concerned about include: Carbon monoxide: Carbon monoxide (CO) is a toxic byproduct of burning fuel, such as car exhaust, as well as tobacco products. When breathed in, CO interferes with the body's ability to carry oxygen. Cigarette smoke from any type of cigarette can contain high levels of CO. Nicotine: Nicotine is the addictive substance of cigarettes, and it is present in loose tobacco. It's also a potent poison that has been used in pesticides for decades. Tar: Tar is the sticky brown residue that stains the end of a cigarette filter and other surfaces it comes into contact with. Tar also settles on the delicate tissue in the lungs and bronchial tubes of smokers. Tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs): These are some of the most potent carcinogens in tobacco and tobacco smoke. TSNAs are present in green tobacco (unprocessed tobacco plant leaves) in small amounts, but it is the processing and curing of tobacco that causes high levels. These remain in loose tobacco. The Sneaky Reasons Behind Some Cigarette Additives Rolling Tobacco vs. Regular Cigarettes There are some notable differences between RYO and regular cigarettes. Smokers tend to inhale more tar and nicotine when smoking RYO cigarettes, due to the lack of a filter. However, both types of cigarettes are similar in that they are incredibly damaging to one's health. A 2019 study looked at the amount of TSNAs in the saliva of RYO and regular cigarette smokers and concluded that RYO cigarettes are just as harmful as manufactured cigarettes. Deborah Arnott, chief executive of the anti-smoking organization Action on Smoking & Health (ASH), put the differences between RYO and regular cigarettes into perspective in an interview with Independent: "A useful analogy that has been used is that arguing over the difference between roll-ups and straights is like arguing whether it’s safer to jump out of the 20th or 15th floor of a building—either way, you’re going to hit the ground and die." Health Risks Scientists and doctors widely believe that the risks to a smoker's health are the same regardless of whether you're smoking commercially-produced cigarettes or rolling your own. Just like commercial cigarette smokers, people who smoke hand-rolled cigarettes face a risk of: Cancer of the mouth, pharynx, and larynxCardiovascular diseaseEsophageal cancerLung cancer In fact, lifelong RYO smokers have a higher risk of certain cancers—including larynx, esophagus, mouth, and pharynx—than those who smoke regular cigarettes, according to the American Cancer Society. RYO cigarettes endanger the health of anyone who smokes them, as well as those who breathe in the secondhand smoke they produce. It's difficult to assess the overall risk of RYOs because each hand-rolled cigarette is unique and the amount of tobacco will vary, as will how the cigarette is smoked. Also, some smokers use filtered tubes for their RYO tobacco and some don't. However, it is safe to say that RYO cigarettes are nothing remotely close to a healthy (or healthier) smoking choice. Laws and Regulations RYO cigarette products, including rolling tobacco and paper, are regulated by the FDA. Anyone who makes, manufactures, or imports tobacco must comply with a number of laws, such as registering their business every year, paying fees, and submitting an ingredient list to the FDA. Retailers who sell RYO cigarette products also must adhere to a list of rules, such as applying to market their product and displaying a warning statement on its packaging. And as of December 20, 2019, you must be 21 years old in the United States to purchase a tobacco product. A Word From Verywell If you're still smoking any type of cigarette, consider quitting sooner rather than later. There are many tools and resources that can help you kick the habit, including support groups, quit aids, and counseling. Did You Know? Under the Essential Health Benefits of the Affordable Care Act, the tools for quitting can be provided free of charge through your health insurance, including Medicaid and Medicare. Just remember that no form of tobacco is safe—all pose serious dangers to your health, and you will benefit immensely from quitting. It's amazing what happens when you stop smoking. Are Hand-Rolled Bidi Cigarettes Safer? Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! So you're ready to finally quit smoking? Our free guide can help you get on the right track. Sign up and get yours today. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 13 Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Edwards R. Roll your own cigarettes are less natural and at least as harmful as factory rolled tobacco. BMJ. 2014;348:f7616. doi:10.1136/bmj.f7616 Breslin E, Hanafin J, Clancy L. It’s not all about price: Factors associated with roll-your-own tobacco use among young people - a qualitative study. BMC Public Health 2018;18:991. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-018-5921-8 Hoek J, Ferguson S, Court E, Gallopel-Morvan K. Qualitative exploration of young adult RYO smokers’ practices. Tob Control. 2016;26(5):563-568. doi:10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2016-053168 U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Roll-your-own tobacco. National Cancer Institute. Harms of cigarette smoking and health benefits of quitting. American Cancer Society. Harmful chemicals in tobacco products. Edwards SH, Rossiter LM, Taylor KM, et al. Tobacco-specific nitrosamines in the tobacco and mainstream smoke of U.S. commercial cigarettes. Chem Res Toxicol. 2017;30(2):540-551. doi:10.1021/acs.chemrestox.6b00268 NHS inform. Tobacco. Cartanyà-Hueso À, Lidón-Moyano C, Fu M, et al. Comparison of TSNAs concentration in saliva according to type of tobacco smoked. Environ Res. 2019;172:73-80. doi:10.1016/j.envres.2018.12.006 Centers for Disease Control. Health effects of cigarette smoking. American Cancer Society. Is any type of tobacco product safe? U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Roll-your-own tobacco. American Lung Association. Tobacco cessation treatment: What is covered? Get Treatment for Addiction Advertiser Disclosure × The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Verywell Mind receives compensation.