The color of a cigarette can give some indication of its tar and nicotine content. American Spirit cigarettes come in a range of colors, each denoting a different strength and flavor profile. Determining which American Spirit cigarette is the lightest can help smokers choose a lower tar and nicotine option if they wish to reduce their exposure to these substances.
Background on American Spirit Cigarettes
American Spirit cigarettes are manufactured by Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company, which is a subsidiary of Reynolds American. They are marketed as “natural” and “additive-free” cigarettes. American Spirit cigarettes come in several different colors, each denoting a different flavor, strength level, and content profile:
- Light Blue – Light and smooth taste
- Yellow – Full flavored and mellow
- Orange – Bold, full bodied
- Black – Dark, rich, full flavored
- Dark Green – Bold and spicy
- Light Green – Menthol light
- Dark Blue – Menthol fuller flavor
- Red – Full bodied and robust
The color coding system used by American Spirit is meant to allow smokers to easily identify the strength, flavor, and characteristics of each variety. However, the color name (light, yellow, etc) does not directly indicate which is lowest in tar and nicotine content. To determine this, we need to look at the reported measurements.
Tar and Nicotine Content by Color
Independent studies have analyzed the tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide content of American Spirit cigarettes across the different color varieties. The results identify the lightest options:
| Color | Tar (mg) | Nicotine (mg) | Carbon Monoxide (mg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light Blue | 12 | 0.8 | 14 |
| Yellow | 12 | 0.8 | 14 |
| Orange | 14 | 1.0 | 15 |
| Black | 15 | 1.1 | 17 |
| Dark Green | 16 | 1.2 | 18 |
| Light Green | 12 | 0.8 | 14 |
| Dark Blue | 14 | 1.0 | 15 |
| Red | 18 | 1.4 | 19 |
Based on the tar and nicotine content measurements, the lightest American Spirit cigarettes are the Light Blue, Yellow, and Light Green varieties. These all have 12 mg of tar and 0.8 mg of nicotine per cigarette. The Dark Blue is the next lowest option at 14 mg of tar and 1.0 mg of nicotine.
Factors in Tar and Nicotine Levels
What accounts for the varying tar and nicotine levels across American Spirit colors, even when some seem to contradict the name (e.g. Black is not the lowest)? There are a few key factors:
- Tobacco blending – American Spirit uses different blends of tobacco across the varieties. Some include more natural tobaccos which tend to have higher nicotine content.
- Filters – Different filter designs and ventilation levels affect how much tar is trapped versus reaching the smoker.
- Additives – No artificial additives are used, but different natural additives affect the tar and nicotine release.
- Curing process – The tobacco curing method impacts nicotine and tar content. Some American Spirit tobaccos are sun-cured versus flue-cured.
While they are marketed as “natural” cigarettes, the different tobacco blends, filters, and curing processes allow American Spirit to fine-tune the tar and nicotine levels across the different color varieties.
Color and Flavor Differences
Aside from tar and nicotine content, the colors denote different flavor profiles:
- Light blue – Light and sweet tobacco flavor.
- Yellow – Smooth and mellow tobacco taste.
- Orange – Richer, bolder tobacco flavor.
- Black – Stronger, fuller tobacco taste.
- Dark green – Bold and spicy, more tobacco edge.
- Light green – Cool menthol light flavor.
- Dark blue – Smooth menthol fuller taste.
- Red – Strongest, boldest tobacco flavor.
The color variety allows smokers to pick their desired strength level and flavor profile. Those who enjoy light and mild cigarettes can opt for light blue, while those wanting rich, full, bold taste can choose the black or red.
Factors in Cigarette Strength and Impact on Health
Lower tar and nicotine content has long been associated with potentially less health impact from smoking. However, even light cigarettes carry risks:
- No cigarette type is truly “safe” – all contain toxins and carcinogens.
- Light cigarette smokers sometimes inhale more deeply to get desired nicotine, offsetting benefits.
- American Spirit in particular has higher nicotine content than many ultra-light brands.
While light varieties are linked to lower toxin exposure, smoking any cigarette can negatively impact health. The best options for reducing these risks are to smoke as little as possible, avoid deep inhalation, and work to quit smoking altogether if able.
Conclusion
In summary, the lightest American Spirit cigarettes based on lab measurements of tar and nicotine content are the Light Blue, Yellow, and Light Green varieties. These have 12mg of tar and 0.8mg of nicotine per cigarette. The menthol Light Green is the lightest menthol option. However, all cigarettes pose some health risks, so minimizing smoking or quitting altogether is the healthiest choice.
