Low Tar Cigarettes?

Back in the 60s, 70s and 80s when science was really beginning to explore the dangers of smoking cigarettes, smokers began to be more concerned about what science found. The tar in cigarettes was blamed for all the health ill-effects and the manufacturers, in an attempt to keep smokers smoking, created “low tar cigarettes.”

But as research continued to include these new products, they were found to be just as unhealthy as the “full flavor” brands partly because of the way smokers smoked them. In an attempt to get the same results, oftentimes smokers inhaled more deeply on each puff, or simply smoked more of the “light” cigarettes. In the 60s and 70s short term tests did seem to prove lower tar cigarettes carried a lower risk, but according to the National Cancer Institute, in long term studies done since there actually has been an increase in lung cancer.

In 2008, the FTC also debunked the tests used to measure the tar in cigarettes by cigarette manufacturers. Then, they warned the tobacco companies of the regulations to come regarding the advertising those numbers. After cigarette advertising laws changed by the late 2000s in the United States, cigarette manufacturers were no longer able to advertise their products as “low tar” or “light.” In July 2009, The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act put the manufacturing, marketing and sale of tobacco products in the hands of the FDA. Now all packs of cigarettes carry extensive warning labels and some countries are looking into adopting a plain package so as to eliminate brand recognition. The FDA also has authority to limit future use of other words and phrases in the future.

Resources:
http://www.cancer.gov/newscenter/pressreleases/2001/lowtar
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/07/08/eveningnews/main4242997.shtml
http://publichealthlawcenter.org/sites/default/files/fda-5.pdf