What is meant by a “safe” cigarette?
A “safe” cigarette is one that has been modified in such a manner as to significantly reduce the amount of tar and nicotine delivered to the body. This reduction is thought to make cigarettes safer to use. Modifications include the introduction of filters but also can include chemical modification of the tobacco. Although once advertised as safer, cigarette filters actually do not make cigarette smoking safer.
Filters, low-tar and nicotine cigarettes, and mentholated cigarettes are not any safer than unfiltered, regular tobacco cigarettes. In an effort to address smokers’ fears about the detrimental effects of smoking, the tobacco companies first introduced filtered cigarettes, and later low-tar and nicotine cigarettes (otherwise known as “light”) and mentholated cigarettes to the public.
Tar and nicotine content was tested by using smoking machines, which did not alter the inhalation of tobacco smoke.
However, because smokers alter the way they smoke as a result of these modifications, namely, inhaling more deeply in order to make up for the loss in flavor and nicotine dose, in the end it became nothing more than an advertising gimmick, giving customers a false sense of security.
