Sunday, December 24, 2006

The Myth of "Safer" Cigarettes

Many cigarette manufacturers have introduced "low-tar" and "low-nicotine" versions of their products. But are they really safer? No. Studies show that smokers often take deeper and more frequent puffs of these products and that they smoke the cigarette down lower - thereby actually increasing health risks. Even when smoked correctly, these cigarettes may not be significantly less dangerous than regular ones.

Menthol cigarettes, for instance, are so soothing that smokers inhale more deeply and hold the smoke in their lungs longer. Filtered cigarettes, while they do reduce toxins to a small degree, also encourage smokers to inhale more deeply, increasing the risk of a form of lung cancer called adenocarcinoma. And don't forget that "additive-free cigarettes still have addictive nicotine and cancer-causing tar.

Ironically, cigarettes made prior to 1950 were so harsh tasting that smokers inhaled less, which actually reduced their risk.

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