Papirosa

A papirosa (Russian: папиро́са, plural папиро́сы, transliterated papirosy) is a type of cigarette common in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and other parts of Eastern Europe and formerly in the Soviet Union. They differ from typical cigarettes in their construction: a papirosa consists of a hollow cardboard tube approximately one-third to one-half filled with tobacco.

The tobacco portion is analogous to that of a regular cigarette, but the cardboard mouthpiece provides a filtering effect and cools the smoke. Papirosy are typically stronger than Western-style cigarettes due to the use of stronger, often darker, types of tobacco. They are generally smoked without direct lip contact with the tobacco end, instead holding the cardboard tube between the lips.

The papirosa originated in the Russian Empire in the 19th century. The cardboard tubes were originally made separately and then filled with tobacco by the smoker. Over time, manufacturing processes evolved to create pre-made papirosy.

Papirosy were particularly popular during the Soviet era, often portrayed in literature and film as a characteristic of the working class. While their popularity has declined since the collapse of the Soviet Union, they are still produced and consumed, especially by older generations and those with a preference for a stronger smoking experience. They are readily available in many tobacconists and grocery stores in the aforementioned regions.