Smoking - Difference between a packed and unpacked ciggerrete

[malik]

Hi!

So today, my lovely spouse went out and got me cigarettes... But he got me the freaking soft boxes, which suck when you try and pack them! I mean, I can spend like 10 minutes literally trying to pack them, and not much will happen. Whereas with a hard box, I just pack it for half a minute, and it is great.

But I lit one, and it tasted pretty normal. So I want to know, what are the differences between packed and unpacked? I know that packed squares generally last longer and burn slower.

But does it affect the taste of the menthol? What about the smoothness?

I love menthol, and I love squares that are generally smooth. Though Newport is not all that smooth, it is good enough for me and not all nasty like Marborol Reds!(Lol) Once my friend said "did you forget to pack your squares, because Newports taste like straight up menthol and this tastes nothing like it." Had me wondering...

[frenchywife]

I used to smoke Newports too, and as you say, they aren't very smooth (but at the time I started smoking them that's what everyone smoked). I have since switched to Marlboro Ultra Light Menthols and they're good and cheaper!

As for your question - I don't think there is a difference in taste when you pack them - the only difference I know of is the one you stated about lasting longer and burning slower.

[throwaway]

It does change the taste of the menthol. An unpacked cig burns hotter than a packed one, and heat travels down the length of the tube faster. This in turn vaporizes more of the menthol sprayed on the tobacco making the menthol taste stronger in the beginning and less intense towards the end of the smoke.

For packing soft packs, try lightly gripping the edge of the pack with just two fingers. This way you use momentum and not force to pack the tobacco downwards.

Or you can just strike the filter end on a hard surface like a desk for a couple of taps and pack each smoke individually.

[frenchywife]

Interesting - the only problem I have is that I'm a spazz and can't pack right - of course my husband is great at it and he has to pack for me -