With the cost of manufactured cigarettes on a steady rise, good quality hand-rolling tobacco is a cost-effective alternative. Learn how you can save money.
Smoking manufactured cigarettes is an expensive habit in the UK. The financial burden it places on smokers can be seen in the astronomical rise of the average price of a pack of 20 manufactured cigarettes, which soared from just under £5 in 2000 to £15.67 in 2024. Thankfully, smokers have another option. Hand-rolling tobacco can be a cost-effective alternative that doesn’t require compromising on quality.
Economic Benefits of Hand Rolling Tobacco
As many smokers are only too well aware, they get 20 manufactured cigarettes for just under £16. However, if you purchase 30g of hand-rolling tobacco for £21.35, you can roll between 40 and 60 cigarettes.
Considering that reputable suppliers often offer cheaper prices for bulk purchases, rolling your own cigarettes can be even more cost-effective.
Selecting Tobacco and Accessories: Tips
With the variety of options available, selecting affordable yet high-quality hand-rolling tobacco and accessories can be a daunting task. Use these tips to find the best options for your needs.
Selecting hand-rolling tobacco: Opt for Virginia leaf if you want a light, sweet, mild-flavoured tobacco, or mix Virginia and Burley for more strength and bite. Choose Burley for earthy, nutty, medium-strength tobacco, or tweak it by adding Virginia or a fire-cured tobacco. Alternatively, try Kentucky or another fire-cured leaf for full-strength tobacco with plenty of bite. Select a blend with a nicotine level that suits your smoking habits.
Choosing filters: Skip filters if you prefer the full hit and bite from the tobacco. If you would rather use filters, consider their length and diameter, remembering that 8mm is the standard thickness of a manufactured cigarette.
Selecting rolling papers: Wider papers are easier to roll but can affect the tobacco’s flavour, and you’ll end up smoking more paper. Slim papers are more difficult to roll but use less paper and offer better flavour. Consider paper weight (GSM) when selecting rolling papers, as heavier paper is easier to roll but affects the flavour more than lighter weight paper.
Making the Most of Your Hand-Rolling Tobacco
The best way to get the most value out of your hand-rolling tobacco purchases is to keep your tobacco as fresh as possible. The easiest way to do this is to use a hydro-stone, which you can store in your tobacco pouch or container after soaking it in water.
Another way of keeping your tobacco fresh is to store it in Tupperware or plastic containers. Place foil around the top of the tobacco and cover it with a slightly damp paper towel before closing the lid tightly. A third option is to put your tobacco into a Ziploc bag, which you then place in a mason jar before sealing the lid tightly.
Whatever your smoking preferences, you should only purchase tobacco from reputable suppliers. Find premium hand-rolling tobacco and accessories at the Black Swan Shoppe and get maximum enjoyment from every cigarette you roll.