Light Cigarettes Overview
What are LightCigarettes?
Light cigarettes, also advertised as "low-tar," "mild," or"ultra-light" cigarettes, have special filters designed to dilute cigarettesmoke. Many smokers choose lightcigarettes over "regular" or "full-flavor" cigarettes because they think theyare less harmful. Although lightcigarettes may feel smoother and lighter on the throat and chest, they are nothealthier and do not reduce the health risks related to smoking. Because there is no such thing as a safecigarette, the only way to reduce a smoker's health risks (and the risk toothers through second-hand smoke) is to quit smoking altogether.
Light Cigarettes -Recent News
Light cigarettes have recently been the focus of federal lawsuitsfiled in U.S. District Court. Plaintiffsin these cases allege that tobacco companies defrauded them into thinking lightcigarettes were safer than regular cigarettes.The defendant tobacco companies argue that the term "light" refers to alighter-tasting cigarette, and that consumers should understand the term'sintended meaning.
Light Cigarette Tarand Nicotine Numbers
Tar and nicotine yield numbers can be found on cigarettepacks. These numbers serve as areference point for the amount of tar and nicotine a smoker may inhale. However, these numbers do not necessarily reflectthe precise amount a smoker inhales, for a number of reasons.
First, the "nicotine yield" numbers are generated by smokingmachines, which "smoke" every brand of cigarettes the same way. Smokers, unlike machines, crave nicotine andtherefore may inhale more deeply; take larger, more rapid, or frequent puffs;or smoke a few extra cigarettes each day to get enough nicotine to satisfytheir cravings. When smokers "compensate,"they may end up inhaling more tar, nicotine, and other harmful chemicals thanthe machine-based numbers suggest.
Second, light cigarettes have tiny pinholes on thefilters. These "filter vents" dilutecigarette smoke with air when "puffed" by smoking machines, resulting inartificially low measurements of tar and nicotine levels. But the filter vents are placed onlymillimeters from where smokers may place their lips or fingers. By blocking these vents, a light cigarette basicallybecomes a regular cigarette.
Lastly, when cigarette makers increase the length of thepaper wrap that covers the outside of the cigarette filter, the number of puffsdecreases during the machine test. Thetobacco under the wrap is still available to the smoker and is not burned duringthe machine test. As a result, themachine measures less tar and nicotine levels than is available to the smoker.
Health Effects ofLight Cigarettes
According to the National Cancer Institute, light cigarettesprovide no benefit to a smoker's health. Smokers who switch from regular cigarettes tolight cigarettes are likely to inhale the same amount of hazardous chemicalsand remain at high risk for developing smoking-related cancers and other diseases. There is no evidence suggesting thatswitching to light cigarettes will help smokers quit. Quitting smokingeliminates or reduces the risk of dying from tobacco related disease, as wellas the risk of lung cancer, heart attacks, stroke, and chronic lung disease.
Light Cigarettes -Getting Legal Help
As mentioned above, a number of light cigarette lawsuitshave been filed recently in federal court, with plaintiffs claiming thattobacco companies defrauded them into thinking that light cigarettes were asafer alternative to regular cigarettes. If you or a loved one has sufferedillness that may be attributed to smoking light cigarettes, you should firstcontact your doctor or other healthcare professional. You may also wish to meetwith an experienced attorney to discuss your legal options and your potentialright to a legal remedy for any harm caused by light cigarettes.