Last week someone gave one of my co-workers a free sample of a product called “Inspire” which was a card-like object designed to be inserted into a cigarette pack. It was claimed that this would, over a period of time, make the tobacco less “harmful” by chemically altering it.
These claims seemed rather dubious, but having gotten this item free, my co-worker tried it out. A short time later, she noticed what appeared to be a cold sore on her lip. While it’s possible it was coincidental, she could think of no other cause.
I did a bit of reserch on this product. It comes from China, and lists its ingredients:
“blend of 13 powders pressed within the plastic covers of the card. The powders include infrared powder, magnetic powder, hemoglobin powder, anion exchange resin, diethyl carbonate, fat and other polymers refined and purified from HDNA factor. ”
What “infrared” powder is was not at all clear.
“Hemoglobin powder is freeze-dried hemoglobin for use in preparing microbiological culture media.
Hemoglobin Powder is obtained from desiccated beef blood”
anion-exchange resin:
“An insoluble organic polymer containing cation groups that attract and hold anions present in a surrounding solution in exchange for anions previously held.” (An anion is a negatively charged ion.)
diethyl carbonate: ” Stable. Flammable. Incompatible with strong acids, strong bases, reducing agents, oxidizing agents. Protect from moisture.
Toxicology: May be harmful by inhalation, ingestion or through skin contact. Eye, skin and respiratory irritant. May be a reproductive hazard. ”
None of these ingredients “inspired” a lot of confidence, especially the last one.
As for the HDNA factor, the company says “High definition is in our DNA”.
Does this mean they are genetically predisposed to own expensive televisions?
They give this explanation of their product:
“Upon opening the seal and placing the card in the cigarette pack, heat absorption causes slow release of the contents of the powders that infiltrate the cigarettes and alter the molecular and physical properties of tobacco. The powders bind to nicotine, tar and other chemical in the cigarette altering the combustion process. The tobacco burns at a reduced temperature, leading to modification in the combustion products. Consequently, nicotine, tar, formaldehyde, hydrogen cyanide, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (carcinogens), and other harmful substances are retained in the ashes and less get emitted in the smoke that enters the lungs and the body.”
Exactly how this is accomplished, they don’t say. Also unsaid is what sort of research was done to assure that this chemical mix does not make the cigarette MORE harmful.
If anone has the knowledge to evaluate this invention, feel free to enlighten me. Until then, I suggest keeping your tobacco unadulterated.
-cosmic rat 8/5/2011