Not Just Bad for You: How Cigarettes Can Actually Come in Handy (9 photos)

Contrary to popular belief, cigarettes can actually save lives, not just take them. Granted, that might sound a bit dubious. Smoking itself won't help you get out of a tough spot—if anything, smokers have significantly less stamina and physical strength than non-smokers. Everyone wants to be in peak shape, so taking up smoking is the last thing anyone should do.





Even so, cigarettes can occasionally serve a practical purpose. Here is why packing a pack of cigarettes in your outdoor survival kit isn't as crazy as it sounds.

Pesticide



You can make your own pesticide by steeping tobacco in water and pouring the liquid into a spray bottle. Mist any plant you plan on eating, wait ten minutes, and then rinse it thoroughly with clean water.

Stopping Bleeding





Applying a tiny bit of cigarette ash to a small cut can help stop the bleeding. This trick only works on minor scrapes—don't treat Arnold Schwarzenegger movies as a survival manual. Pouring tobacco into a wide, open wound will only make matters worse.

Insect Bites



Chew a small amount of tobacco and press it onto the bite. It will help soothe the pain, and the wound will heal fairly quickly.

Water Filter



A cigarette filter can double as an emergency water strainer. Remove the filter and stuff it into a hollow reed, straw, or piece of bamboo. While it won't strain out microscopic parasites, it will filter out larger debris and dirt.

Tinder



This is the most obvious use. The paper works as kindling, and loose tobacco burns reasonably well. Plus, because of added chemicals, a lit cigarette smolders for a long time, making it easy to carry fire from one spot to another.

Bartering



One of the most practical uses for cigarettes in the wilderness is bartering. Plenty of people will gladly help you out of a tough spot in exchange for a pack of cigarettes. In remote areas, cigarettes and alcohol are prized almost as much as steel knives and mirrors. So if you're heading out on a wilderness trek, packing a full carton might be a smart move.

Muscle Cramps



If a severe leg cramp strikes at the worst possible moment and you need immediate relief, taking a puff or two might help. A quick hit of nicotine won't do much long-term harm, but it can effectively relax overworked muscles.

Toothaches



Tobacco can also help ease a toothache. Chew a tiny piece and hold it against the aching tooth for temporary relief.