As a society we’ve been trying to dissuade young people from taking up smoking as a habit for at least the past twenty years. Given the associated severe and adverse health consequences, I’m sure you’ll agree that there are sound reasons for doing so.

Like it or not, there is a significant — and important — marketing aspect to use of the term “organic”. Rightly or wrongly the “organic” brand has, in the minds of many consumers, become associated with broader concepts such as health and well-being.

By adopting a form over substance approach to this issue there exists real potential for the underlying value in the organic brand to be eroded.

You’re obviously passionate and knowledgeable about organic tobacco and, to the extent you’d like an opportunity to articulate your views more formally, I’d be more than happy for you to air your views in a guest post.

Of course, as most ignorant and easily led people do, you’ve implied that smoking tobacco is inherently harmful, regardless of what else you smoke with it and how much of it you smoke. Let’s spray arsenic and throw chunks of gunpowder and chemical gag suppressants and such on your potatoes, make you eat them in massive quantities due to emotional stress, and see how your bowels do. You already know the detriments of non-organic food growth, so why is it so hard for you to translate the same logic to cigarettes?

This is not to say that they would certainly be completely harmless cigarettes no matter how many you smoke, but I imagine that removing all those lovely chemicals can’t do much harm, and I’m sure you’d agree on that. Of course, all we can do is imagine, because close-minded and uneducated egotists like you and this German Court’s operators make very sure that there is no opportunity to find out. Refer to the FDA’s treatment of Natural American Spirit – they were forced to apply additional warnings stating that organic additive free tobacco is equally harmful to ordinary cigarettes – despite there being no research on the matter, and all sensible logic (such as that which supports the use of organic produce elsewhere) dictating otherwise.

If you’re going to be the “organic guide” I suggest you learn a little more about it yourself before you lead a bunch of people down the garden path – and not in the good way. Your logic and execution are flawed, but your intentions are good and I applaud your efforts.

I had been smoking discount smokes for a few years before the lump started. After being out of town for a few weeks, I had been smoking a higher end charcoal filter brand and within a few days it started going away. I asked my doctor and after rolling his eyes at me he told me he was not going discuss the issue. ‘Quit’, he said.

As I am not interested in quiting I guess I will have to take care of my self. I am pleased to say that after several months of smoking a brand that is sold by local natives here in Ontario, I am happy to say that the lump is gone and I feel fine!

I know a lot of you find this hard to handle, but think about it. Perhaps smoking tobacco(a natural product) is not as harmful as smoking cigarettes(chemicals, including fungicide, pesticeide and artificial flavors).

For those who think that Organic should olny be used on ‘Healthful’ products then what about;

Chocolate
Coffee
Beer
Wine
Beef
…….

I hope you all get a handle on your hippocritic ideals.

In my opinion, if your going to smoke, organic tobacco would definately be a better choice. I know that when I make a herbal smoke, I always prefer organic herbs.

Also, I remember reading an article that suggested cigarettes caused cancer because of its radioactivity due to the build up of pesticides and fertilizers in the soil. I assume addatives also contribute to health problems and increase its addictiveness.

The best choice would be to grow your own tobacco. This way you know its organic and addative free. I have read tobacco powder can be used as a natural pesticide for your tobacco plants.

I can see your pov because I dont like smoking or cigarette companies either but it must be a step in the right direction.

Ellie