The tobacco companies have been using expanded/puffed tobacco and reconstituted/paper tobacco for 50+ years to reduce their costs. Also, they have been increasing the content of foreign tobaccos, which generally are cheaper than U.S. grown tobacco. To cover up these tastes, they use various flavor chemicals, e.g., vanillin, licorice, various sugars, etcs. They have been reducing the number of these chemicals for 20+ years in anticipation of future restrictions by the FTC. 29
I only smoked for a few months, and it was fun, except for the cough and constant sinus problems.
I use e-juice now. Good nicotine, doesn’t kill my sinuses and easier on me than caffeine for similar effect.