how to test nicotine level in a cigarette?

Question

Hi, I'm a smoker, and I've been trying to reduce my nicotine intake by switching brands of cigarettes to find the lowest. Problem is I don't know which one is the lower than the other. Are there any ways to conduct a home-test to compare the nicotine level on cigarettes? Maybe using a non-lab, easy-to-use, easy-to-find chemical? Or are there other ways? Any suggestion is highly appreciated.

Thanx.

Answer 1

Don't know

Having a look a the wiki site, it is a hygroscopic pyrridine.

I reckon you could dissolve it out of tobacco using vodka but then I don't quite know how you would then test levels.

My suggestion:

buy 30 cigarettes of each strength

purchase 1 bottle of vodka - colourless would be preferable

a large number of tumblers

Dissolve 1 cigarette of each strength in a tumbler of vodka and give them all the same amount of time ... say 1 or 2 hours.

(Drink the vodka - the stuff you haven't dissolved cigarettes in.)

Inspect the tumblers to see if noticeable colour change has occurred.

If not, repeat the test with 2 cigarettes in each tumbler.

Drink more vodka.

Go to the shop and buy vodka

Do not drive to the shop

If there is no colour change after 1-2 hours try again with 3 cigarettes in each glass. Dissolve them and inspect for colour change.

... if you haven't gotten the result by the time you reach 7 cigarettes in each glass you won't have enough to go further.

Answer 2

I don't know any home test for checking for the level of nicotine in a cigarette. "Light" cigarettes have the lowest level that I know of; ppl ending up smoking more "lights" just to get the nicotine they are craving so that pretty much kills that idea. Try quitting - you will be glad you did in the long run.

Answer 3

i don't smoke but i will tell you this the cheaper the cig. the higher the nicotine level because they want to hook you fast and keep you on the take