Using gum wrappers as a substitute for rolling papers is an unsafe practice. This involves combusting material designed for food packaging, not for human inhalation, which introduces unknown and harmful substances into the smoke. The wrapper’s purpose is to preserve freshness and provide a hygienic barrier, requiring a composition wholly different from materials intended for burning.
Materials Used in Gum Wrappers
Gum wrappers are manufactured as a complex, multi-layered laminate to create a barrier against moisture, light, and air. A typical inner wrapper consists of a paper base, often coated with an aluminum layer or a metallized film for barrier properties. This structure is necessary to maintain the gum’s freshness and protect it from environmental degradation.
The layers are held together using specialized adhesives. The outer layer frequently includes waxes or plastic polymers like polyethylene terephthalate (PET) to improve folding and barrier function. Branding or color is applied using printing inks and lacquers. These components are chosen for food contact safety, meaning they are non-toxic to ingest, but they are not evaluated for the safety of their combustion byproducts.
Inhalation Risks from Burning Non-Paper Components
Burning the complex structure of a gum wrapper releases a variety of toxic byproducts that are hazardous to inhale. The printing inks and dyes contain pigments and solvents that, when heated, can break down into volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and heavy metal particulates. Inhaling these fumes can irritate the respiratory system and introduce carcinogens.
The wax and adhesive layers are typically composed of paraffin or various polymers that combust incompletely, generating soot, carbon monoxide, and harmful gases like formaldehyde. If the wrapper includes a plastic coating, burning this material releases complex hydrocarbons and acrolein, a severe irritant that can damage lung tissue. Even the thin aluminum layer may release trace metal particles into the smoke, which can lead to inflammatory responses in the lungs and potentially affect the nervous system.
Why Purpose-Made Rolling Papers Are Different
In contrast to food packaging, commercial rolling papers are specifically designed to minimize harmful chemicals during combustion. These papers are made from natural, non-wood plant fibers, such as hemp, rice, or flax, chosen for their clean-burning properties. The manufacturing process focuses on reducing residual ash and minimizing chemical additives that could produce toxic smoke.
Legitimate rolling papers often avoid chlorine bleaching, resulting in a natural, light tan color. They use non-toxic, food-grade adhesives, typically polyvinyl alcohol, applied only along the sealing edge. Some papers include fillers like calcium carbonate to regulate the burn rate, but they entirely lack the plastic coatings, heavy inks, and metallic laminates found in gum wrappers.