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Low-tar cigarettes do not carry a lower risk of lung cancer than other types of cigarettes, according to the results of the first study to compare lung cancer among those who smoke ultra-light, mild, and medium filtered cigarettes. The results of the study, conducted by scientists at MIT and the American Cancer Society, were published in the British Medical Journal in early January, supporting what many experts have long suspected.
Previously, researchers found that persons who smoke "lighter" cigarettes tend to take deeper drags, hold the smoke longer, and smoke more cigarettes. The results of this latest study support scientists'' suspicion that smokers of light cigarettes would have similar incidences of lung cancer and other diseases as those who smoke harsher varieties.
"It''s not surprising, but it''s very important," said Stan Glantz, a professor of cardiology at the University of California, San Francisco. Glantz was not involved with the research, but agreed with the results. "It''s always important to demonstrate whether a theoretical prediction is right or wrong."
The study investigated the link between the tar rating of cigarettes smoked in 1982 and deaths from lung cancer in the subsequent six years. More than 940,000 Americans over the age of 30 were included in the study, including smokers, former smokers, and persons who had never smoked. The highest risk of lung cancer was associated with smoking strong unfiltered cigarettes, but the study found no difference in the death rate from lung cancer among those who smoked medium filtered cigarettes and those who smoke mild or light varieties. The findings were the same for both genders, and remained the same even after factoring in other risk categories for lung cancer such as age, education level, and inclusion of fruits and vegetables in the diet.
Representatives from the tobacco industry say that manufacturers never claimed that light or mild cigarettes were safer, and do not dispute the findings of the study.
The European Union banned the use of language such as "mild," "light" and "low-tar" on cigarette packaging in 2001. A global anti-smoking treaty passed last year by the World Health Organization also restricts the use of such terms.
Scientists say that the results of the study will bolster lawsuits of plaintiffs who are suing tobacco companies on the grounds of consumer fraud.
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