Clove cigarettes, known internationally by their Indonesian name kretek, are a flavored tobacco product offering a distinct sensory experience compared to conventional cigarettes. They are characterized by a unique, spicy aroma and flavor derived from the inclusion of the clove spice. While they have a deep cultural history, particularly in Southeast Asia, they are also subject to international health and regulatory scrutiny. Understanding the difference requires examining their composition, historical context, and specific physiological effects.
Core Definition and Origin
A clove cigarette, or kretek, is a tobacco product originating in 19th-century Indonesia. The term kretek is an onomatopoeic word derived from the crackling sound the cloves make when the cigarette is burned. The product was developed in the 1880s in Central Java by a man who mixed cloves with tobacco seeking relief for a chest ailment. This medicinal use quickly transitioned into a widespread cultural product. The blend became deeply embedded in Indonesian culture, which remains the largest producer and consumer. The traditional belief in the clove’s therapeutic benefit helped establish its early popularity before it evolved into a recreational product.
Unique Composition and Sensory Characteristics
Clove cigarettes differ from standard tobacco cigarettes due to their unique composition, typically consisting of 60–80% tobacco and 20–40% ground clove buds and clove oil. This blend is often enhanced with a proprietary “saus” or sauce, a secret mix of plant extracts and oils added to differentiate brand flavors. The presence of the ground clove is physically apparent and produces the characteristic sound when smoked. The defining chemical component is eugenol, an aromatic oil naturally occurring in cloves. When inhaled, eugenol acts as a mild anesthetic, creating a numbing sensation in the throat and lungs. This sensation masks the harshness of the tobacco smoke, allowing the user to inhale more deeply than they might with a traditional, unflavored cigarette.
Regulatory Status and Market Availability
The regulatory status of clove cigarettes changed significantly in the United States in 2009. The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act prohibited the sale of cigarettes with characterizing flavors, including clove, candy, and fruit. This federal ban was enacted because these flavors were found to appeal strongly to younger, inexperienced smokers. The restriction applied only to flavored cigarettes, with an exception for menthol flavoring. Manufacturers found a market workaround by changing the product classification. Today, many clove-flavored products sold in the U.S. are legally categorized as “clove-flavored cigars” or “cigarillos.” This loophole exists because the 2009 flavor ban applied specifically to cigarettes, allowing similar tobacco products wrapped in a tobacco leaf or reconstituted tobacco to remain flavored.
Health Profile Compared to Traditional Cigarettes
The perception that clove cigarettes are a safer alternative to conventional cigarettes is inaccurate and contradicted by scientific analysis. Studies comparing the smoke from kreteks to regular cigarettes indicate that clove varieties often deliver equal or higher levels of harmful substances. Specifically, clove cigarettes can produce higher amounts of tar and carbon monoxide. The presence of the anesthetic compound eugenol introduces a unique respiratory risk. Because eugenol numbs the throat, smokers tend to inhale the smoke more deeply and hold it longer. This potentially increases the absorption of toxins into the lungs. This deeper inhalation can lead to a greater risk of acute lung damage compared to non-smokers.