How To Roll Your Own Tobacco

Transcription

1 How To Roll Your Own Tobacco Hand rolled loose tobacco (finely cut tobacco leaves sold in bags) has emerged as a common alternative to manufactured cigarettes. Most notably because of superior nicotine concentrations and inexpensive prices, hand rolled cigarettes are quickly becoming more popular. Moreover, assuming the correct tobacco is used, such as an organic American Spirit blend, hand rolling your own tobacco can greatly reduce many of the health risks associated with smoking. Manufactured cigarettes have over 500 carcinogenic components, including a very toxic glycerin compound that promotes even burning; an organic American Spirit blend has absolutely none of this. Hand rolling your tobacco allows you to control both the size and flavor of your cigarette. Feel like catching a quick smoke on your break from work? Roll something small. Feel like smoking something tasty? Mix different flavors. As someone who smokes cigarettes, rolling is also a great way to reduce consumption throughout the day, minimizing your chances of becoming a Pack-a-day kind of person. Because 100% of loose tobacco contains nicotine, as compared to manufactured cigarettes where 50% of the stuff you smoke is comprised of filler bereft of nicotine, urges occur much less frequently throughout the day. Rolling your own tobacco is easy, and the benefits it offers are worthwhile. WARNING: Inhaling smoke of any kind is damaging to the lungs because of carbon monoxide. Further, nicotine is an addictive substance that may lead to cigarette addiction.

2 Materials Needed Rolling / Loose Tobacco (preferably an organic, additive free brand) Rolling Paper Filter Tips Credit Card Time Required Rolling a cigarette can take as little as 30 seconds for experienced rollers. Those who are new to the process may require 1-2 minutes per cigarette.

3 TIP Rolling is easiest when performed over a table, or some type of surface. Preparation Steps: (1-8) Glue Strip Pick up the rolling paper on both sides with your thumbs and index fingers as if you were pinching the paper. Make sure the glue strip is facing you. The paper should reside between your thumb and index fingers. Middle Finger Place your middle fingers directly underneath each index finger at a slightly downwards angle.

4 Introduce a small, lengthwise crease to the paper by applying modest pressure between your thumbs and index fingers. Direct this squeezing force slightly towards your middle fingers so that you can feel the middle fingers resist your thumbs applied pressure. The paper s resulting shape should resemble a saddle. Release your grip on the paper, and let it rest on the table. If Step 3 was correctly completed, the paper s saddle shape should remain intact. Empty out the desired amount of loose tobacco from its bag. It is wise to empty out slightly more tobacco than desired because the tobacco may fall from your rolling paper during the rolling process.

5 Use a credit card s flat edge to create a rectangular pile of tobacco. This is an effective way to relate the amount of tobacco to the size of your cigarette. Place a filter tip at the left end of the rolling paper. The left part of the filter should be flush with the left end of the rolling paper there should be no overhang. Inserting the filter before the rolling process begins provides a convenient cylindrical surface to facilitate rolling motions. Take small pinches from the pile of tobacco and deposit the leaves gradually on to the rolling paper, left to right. It may take several rounds of sprinkling the tobacco before the rolling paper is optimally filled.

6 Rolling Steps: (9-18) Index Finger Pick up the rolling paper with your index and middle fingers on the far underside of the paper. Your thumbs should be on the underside closest to you, with your left thumb cradling the recently inserted filter. Note that these are NOT the same finger positions used to create the original saddle crease. The middle fingers are lengthwise, not angled downward. Middle Finger Gently use your thumbs to generate an up and down rolling motion. Use the index and middle fingers as a sort of platform that your thumbs can roll on. The inner front and back of the rolling paper should be in contact during this step. Continue this process until the tobacco has conformed to the saddle shape of the rolling paper.

7 Remove both middle fingers from the paper, and shift your right thumb and index finger to the far left side. Stop once your two thumbs are touching. Angle the rolling paper so that the right end is about an inch higher in the air than the left side. This will prevent tobacco from falling out during Step 14. Vigorously pinch the paper above the Tobacco Level tobacco level with your right thumb and index finger. Gradually move your right hand to the right until you reach the far side of the rolling paper. Maintain the pinching until you reach the far right side. TIP After completing this step, it is a good idea to lick your fingers. The saliva will help create friction with the rolling paper during the rolling process. (15-17)

8 1 st Circular Fold Return to the finger position described in Step 9. Using your left thumb, guide the far left side of the rolling paper behind the filter tip. This produces the first circular fold and acts as the foundation for the following rolling steps. Glue Strip Continue the rolling motion described in Step 10. (Refer to the image at the right to see what the rolling paper should look like once fully rolled.) The circular fold around the filter will facilitate this process. Note: This image showcases a successfully rolled cigarette. This step was NOT done with one hand. Once the rolling paper is sufficiently cylindrical, lick the glue strip. Then, push the remaining unfolded paper downwards with your index fingers on to the rolled portion of the paper.

9 Find a match and light up. TIP Blow torches are equally as effective ;) FAQ (Q) Where can I find the necessary materials to roll my cigarettes? (A) Tobacco shops are your best bet. Almost all gas stations will carry rolling papers, but loose tobacco and filter tips are usually unique to shops dedicated exclusively to tobacco. Other alternatives include ordering the materials online. Rollyourown.com is a very comprehensive store that carries virtually all tobacco related products. (Q) I am having difficulty getting the initial circular fold at the filter tip. What am I doing wrong? (A) Rolling is no different than any other activity: you have to practice frequently. I recommend using smaller amounts of tobacco, as larger quantities can make the initial fold more difficult to achieve. Another option involves the type of rolling paper used. Some papers are slightly thicker which minimizes the paper s deformation during the rolling process. These crisper edges make it easier to guide the rolling paper behind the filter. Zig-Zags are the best brand for this.

10 Work Cited Filter Tips. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 June Roll-Your-Own Tobacco. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 June Rolled Cigarette. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 June Rolling Paper. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 June Zig-Zag Papers. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 June 2014.