An Australian researcher recently reported that some, so far mostly foreign, brands of cigarettes contain pig hemoglobin (blood). Is this a potential problem?
Turns out there are discussions in classic poskim about similar issues.
Chayei Adom (127:3) mentions that snuff tobacco contains yayin nesech as an additive. Many poskim take up the question of smoking on Pesach. The Magen Avrohom Orach Chaim (467:8:10) prohibited using tobacco during Pesach because it was soaked in beer and this view is accepted by the Maharam Shick (Orach Chaim 242), who suggested that the beer additive regains its chometz status even when it is smoked (see the Rosh’s commentary at the beginning of the third perek of Pesachim), and is also quoted by the Mishneh Berurah (467:33).The Beis Meir, R. Chaim Sanzer in Divrei Chaim (Yoreh Deah 20) and R. Shlomo Kluger in Tuv Ta’am VeDa’as (3:1:131)contend that tobacco is nifsal meachilas kelev (“not fit for a dog”, Pesachim 45b) and is not considered prohibited chometz. The Beis Meir suggests that ingestion by smoking may be considered drinking in halacha. The Magen Avraham (210:9) discusses whether or not a bracha is required when smoking "Tabak." The Minhag Yisroel Torah (210) cites the K'sav Sofer who says that based on the shaila posed by the Magen Avraham, R' Mordechai Banet, prior to smoking a cigarette, would make a shehakol on another food item with the intent to include the cigarette as well. However this is not a common practice in our days. The Aruch HaShulchan (Orach Chaim 467:17) points out that tobacco in his times was no longer soaked in beer.
In conclusion, these reports need to be investigated and may pose real kashrus problems for smokers.

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