How to Store Cigarettes, Cigars and Loose Leaf Tobacco

The short answer: keep tobacco sealed, somewhere cool, dark and dry — out of direct sunlight and away from heaters. Cigarettes keep well in their packs, loose leaf needs an airtight bag or tin, and cigars need steady humidity if you're keeping them for more than a week or two.

What makes tobacco go stale

• Dry air pulls moisture out of the leaf, so it burns fast and harsh.
• Heat speeds up drying and can damage the tobacco.
• Sunlight heats packaging and fades the leaf.
• Too much moisture causes mould, especially in cigars and loose leaf.

Storing cigarettes

Cigarettes are the easiest to store. Leave unopened packs in their cellophane and keep cartons in a closet or cupboard away from heat. An opened pack is best within a couple of weeks.

Avoid the car — summer heat and winter cold in Northern Ontario are both hard on tobacco — and avoid the fridge or freezer, where condensation forms each time the pack comes out.

Storing loose leaf tobacco

Loose leaf dries out faster than any other tobacco because the cut leaf has so much surface area.

• Press the air out of the bag and reseal it every time.
• For longer storage, move it into an airtight tin, jar or pouch.
• If it has dried out, a commercial humidifying disc in the container will bring it back over a day or two. Don't add water directly.

See our guide to loose leaf tobacco for more on rolling and tubes.

Storing cigars

Cigarillos sold in sealed packs keep like cigarettes. Full cigars are different: they're made to be stored at around 65–72% relative humidity and 18–21°C.

• For a week or two: keep them in their original box or cellophane, somewhere cool.
• For longer: a resealable container with a two-way humidity pack works well and is inexpensive.
• For a collection: a humidor with a hygrometer, so you can see the humidity at a glance.

Store different cigars apart if you can, as cigars pick up aromas from whatever is beside them. New to cigars? Start with cigars vs cigarillos.

How long does tobacco keep?

Product	Stored well	Once opened
Cigarettes	Months in sealed packs	About 2 weeks
Loose leaf	Months in an airtight container	A few weeks if resealed each time
Cigarillos	Months in sealed packs	About 2 weeks
Full cigars	Years at proper humidity	Days to weeks without humidity control

Keep it away from kids and pets

Nicotine is toxic if swallowed, and loose leaf and cigar ends are a particular risk for small children and pets. Store tobacco up high or in a closed cupboard, and dispose of butts and ends in a closed container.

White Birch Post sells to adults 19 and over only. Smoking is harmful to your health. If you're thinking about cutting back or quitting, our responsible use page lists free Canadian support services.