"Light" Cigarettes

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You may think that "light" cigarettes aren't as bad as regular cigarettes. Think again! Light cigarettes put smokers at the same risk for smoking-related health problems as regular cigarettes.

Some cigarette packs say that light cigarettes have lower tar and nicotine. Don't let these claims fool you! Tobacco companies use smoking machines to figure out the amount of tar and nicotine in the cigarettes. These machines "smoke" every brand of cigarettes the same way. However, people don't smoke cigarettes the same way machines do. People who smoke light cigarettes may inhale more deeply, take more puffs, or smoke extra cigarettes to satisfy their nicotine craving. As a result, they may inhale just as much tar, nicotine, and other chemicals as people who smoke regular cigarettes.

Additional Information on "Light" Cigarettes:

Publications

1.   The Truth About "Light" Cigarettes: Questions and Answers - This publication debunks the myth that "light" cigarettes are better for you than regular cigarettes. It provides information on the health effects of smoking "light" cigarettes in comparison to regular cigarettes and explains how the cigarettes get the "light" rating. Resources to help smokers quit are also provided.

   http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Tobacco/light-cigarettes

2. The Dark Side of Your Light Cigarettes (Copyright © The New York State Smokers' Quitline) - This site explains why light cigarettes are not safer than smoking regular cigarettes.

   http://www.nysmokefree.com/newweb/pageview.aspx?p=4040

3. Questions About Smoking, Tobacco, and Health (Copyright © ACS) - This publication answers common questions about health and tobacco use. It provides information on the health risks of smoking, nicotine, the connection between smoking and cancer, the harmful chemicals cigarettes contain and how they affect the lungs.

   http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_10_2x_Questions_About_Smoking_Tobac...

4. What's So Bad About Tobacco? (Copyright © ACS) - These online fact sheets cover information on various forms of tobacco use. It also includes information on the health impacts of tobacco and how it affects women and kids specifically.

   http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/ped_10_1.asp?sitearea=PED

Organizations

1.   National Cancer Institute, NIH, HHS
2.   Office on Smoking and Health, NCCDPHP, CDC, HHS
3. American Lung Association
4. Prevent Cancer Foundation

= Indicates Federal Resources

Content last updated March 19, 2008.