"Low Tar" Cigarette Claim Up In Smoke

FTC Ends Endorsement Of Test For Nicotine, Tar In Cigarettes

(CBS)  A government agency did a sharp about face Tuesday, and admitted the test it used to show those cigarettes are low in tar is meaningless. The FTC had endorsed the test for four decades, and during that time, the number of Americans smoking low-tar cigarettes grew from about one and 500,000 to more than 49 million. Now, as CBS News transportation and consumer safety correspondent Nancy Cordes reports, it looks like the low-tar claim has gone up in smoke.

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Ever since the 1960s, cigarette makers have tried to seduce smokers worried about their health with products labeled “light,” “mild” or “low-tar.” They’ve been basing such claims on mechanical tests that measure tar and nicotine levels.

Today, 42 years after it endorsed those tests, the federal government essentially called them … bogus.

It said the tests “do not provide meaningful information on the amounts of tar and nicotine smokers receive from cigarettes.” It’s a conclusion scientists reached seven years ago when they found the tests were easily and frequently manipulated.

Now the Federal Trade Commission wants tobacco companies to remove its stamp of approval for those tests from their ads and packaging.

The proposal could open the door for the FTC to sue companies that call their products “light” or “low tar,” implying they’re somehow safer, Cordes reports.

Matt Myers with the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids says studies show more than half of all smokers still mistakenly believe that switching to cigarettes with slogans like “light and luscious,” will reduce their risk of getting sick.

“The FTC hasn't banned the term ‘light’ and ‘low tar.’ But it has put tobacco companies on notice. If they use those terms or the tar and nicotine numbers they risk lawsuit by the federal government,” Myers said.

There is a bill working its way through Congress that would ban the terms “light” and “low-tar” outright. We asked the tobacco companies what they thought about this new proposal.

Their response? “We’re studying it.”

[billpl-2009]

any idiot in america can tell you that smoking ANY cigarette is bad for you.
any idiot who smokes a "normal" cigarette knows you have to suck the crapp out of a "light" cigarette
we don''t need to spend millions in taxes to tell us any different.

Funny is it, that smokers pay billions in taxes on cigarettes because they''re harmful to them, but if they wanted to quit??? It would cost them hundreds more in quit smoking aids.The stuff is so expensive that they have to keep them locked up in the drug stores. And forget the prescription aids...they''re way to expensive and the bulk of smokers don''t have insurance.

I''m thinking maybe the government can''t afford smokers to quit. They make too much money off them.

[ll2owt]

Thank goodness I stopped smoking after 60 years. I did that for me, not for you or anyone else. Maybe, just maybe, I didn''t do too much damage to myself, and I will die at the hands of a jealous lover at the age of 101, rather than one of those diseases associated with smoking.

I understand the stump that most non-smokers climb aboard, those who have never smoked, and some of those who, like myself have quit. They are for the most part quite vocal about "second hand smoke", etc.
What I fail to understand why these same people who "fan" themselves, hack and cough, and make all the "comments", will never utter a word about the diesel truck on the highway spewing more toxic material into the air in one mile than I did in a lifetime of smoking. They never give a thought to how much they pollute the air by driving their gas guzzler to work each day. Can anyone explain???

[fstop100]

funny that they hid the truth for so long...
I guess the tobacco industry isn''t paying lobbyists to buy off our congress anymore.

[sociald63]

cigarette smoke is still cigarette smoke

[kirkules]

We''re all polluters cause that''s the kind of world we live
in. Can''t get around it. It is built into the society and I hope we change that. As far as diesels polluting more than cigarettes, they probably do. However, they don''t come in and sit across from me when I''m having a meal at the deli.

[standncount]

Today, 42 years after it endorsed those tests, the federal government essentially called them %u2026 bogus.

Smoke is carbon monoxide. HELLOOOOOOOOO!!!

No cigarette is good for you. But if you smoke just be a considerate smoker... I am...

[stn_sage]

Let me see if I understand this correctly.

Today, the FTC ''...admitted the test it used to show those cigarettes are low in tar is meaningless''! And, they want the cigarette producers to adjust their packaging to reflect these facts.

But, ''it''s a conclusion scientists reached seven years ago when they found the tests were easily and frequently manipulated.''

Therefore, I wonder:

First, why in God''s name did they not notify the public about this SEVEN years ago?!! Are FTC officials THAT stupid?!! Or, is it something else---like bribery, perhaps?!

Second, in light of this, how is the public expected to have any trust or faith in the FTC''s ability to do it''s job?!!

Finally, I really believe the only way to effectively get this government operational is mass ''pink slipping'' when the next administration takes office.
But this time do things differently, actually hire competent people and make sure managers are incorruptible!

[standncount]

HA! I remember eating those candy cigartettes when I was a kid. They tasted like S*H*I*T but hey it was sugar.. How come do I smoke now? Oh yeah I wanted to be just like all the "cool" kids at my grade school and just like my dad!

[toolmangler-2009]

Thank goodness I stopped smoking after 60 years. I did that for me, not for you or anyone else. Maybe, just maybe, I didn''''t do too much damage to myself, and I will die at the hands of a jealous lover at the age of 101, rather than one of those diseases associated with smoking.

Posted by LL2OWT at 08:03 PM : Jul 08, 2008


I didn''t quit till the day I died. Thats a sure cure. Fortunately I was in the ER and on the table when it happened and the Lord wasn''t ready for me. (I don''t want to guess on that one) Been smoking since 1952 but haven''t even wanted one since the "CURE"

[starleo146]

You know who fought most of the law suits for the killing tobacco cos. Ken Starr . Now that the republicans got in the last 8 yrs nothing but good for the tobacco co.the Killing Machine and they know it, but lets face it money is more important than people

[mgeg1]

How about my right to smoke, relax, and ruin my own body?

[dan_shields-2009]

uhh anything that is smoking is a hazard. period.

[standncount]

How about my right to smoke, relax, and ruin my own body?

Posted by mgeg1

I think it is your right to put in your body whatever you want. A lot of people complain about second hand smoke. Thats where being considerate comes in.

[o2bewealthy]

I have two sons that smoke - they will probably die of a smoking related disease unless they quit within the next couple of years. I care if people smoke, especially if I have to breathe in their second hand smoke. My grandmother died of heart disease brought on by living with my grandfather - a 2 packer-a-day who smoked in the house. The fact that my sons smoke makes for interesting family reunions: they isolate themselves outside away from everyone. I always thought the low tar claims were just another marketing ploy, but I''m actually kind of sad to see that my cynicism has been vindicated.

[laura552]

When I last smoked 15 years ago. I smoked low tar
cigs as I believed they had less tar. Two years after I quit I had a spontaneous pneumo thorax, which is a
collapsed lung and almost died. I believe if I never
smoked that would not have happened. My lungs are clean now and luckily I never developed cancer.

[barbaram99]

Thank ye, I hate cars as they are so dirty/nasty that they make me cough,and that is why I stay in and yes cigerettes are bad,Vince has health issues and he was a smoker. He was forced to quit cold turkey. He had his first heart attack in 01. COPD. He told me* Barbara I never smoked you are lucky there.* tool the good Lord He needs ye here . Yer a granddad,and he knows ye have duties. Cars stink.

[andor3]

"how is the public expected to have any trust or faith in the FTCs ability to do its job?!!...But this time do things differently, actually hire competent people and make sure managers are incorruptible! "

Remember the neocons have outright said one of their goals is to get the people of the US to view the government as ineffective and a waste of money, and they have taken steps to ensure that the government works as poorly as possible. Of course their agenda is that when they suggest eliminating government oversight of business, people will welcome them as liberators and heroes. Lets show them otherwise and insist the government regulatory structure be rebuilt, staffed with top-notch people, and made an advocate for the people and a formidable adversary for big business.

[whiskyrocker]

Smoke um'' if you got um''. We all have to die of something. Might as well help the tobacco industry on your way out.

[au_fait]

I am so sick of hearing people whining about smoking. I don''t smoke and don''t care if someone else does. People who *** about someone smoking outside a public place are worse than the smokers. Everyone has a right and there are more obnoxious things people will breathe than that of smoke!!! I alos like how the aritcle says the new results may open the door for litigation, it was government running the test. Why is that the tobacco companies fault?

[whiskyrocker]

au_fait

Exactly. I don''t smoke either but if I choose to do so that''s my problem.

[navyjimfl]

you have to be a real moron to smoke in this day and age.....

[smiley676]

au_fait and whiskeyrocker, exactly.
For the record, I don''t smoke either. I hate the smell of smoke and I do appreciate smoke free restaurants. But if smokers are outside, they should have the right to smoke. I personally think that they should be able to smoke in bars, if the bar owner allows it. But the government has gotten so big that it is stepping into private business''s rights to make decisions.

Complainers about people who smoke outside are just trying to get everyone to act like them. Those types of people are the biggest hypocrites.

[joeybergas]

but hey idiot smokers, u need to remember that once your smoking finally begins to kill you, and you get hospitalized over and over and over and over..eventually taxpayers are paying your medical bills and you are becoming a burden on the country....and it should be every americans goal to not be a burden to society.... the time for accepting mediocrity in this counttry must stop.... you should not be allowed to be stupid......obviously the country was founded on the idea of freedom......obviously freedom only goes so far when people begin to believe they are free to be worthless.... then....everyone else has to pay for them to live....

[parrot123-2009]

funny that they hid the truth for so long...
I guess the tobacco industry isn''''t paying lobbyists to buy off our congress anymore.
Posted by fstop100 at 08:31 PM : Jul 08, 2008

You know who fought most of the law suits for the killing tobacco cos. Ken Starr . Now that the republicans got in the last 8 yrs nothing but good for the tobacco co.the Killing Machine and they know it, but lets face it money is more important than people
Posted by starleo14672 at 10:20 PM : Jul 08, 2008


Times are Changing ...... and YES WE CAN. Cheers!

[piercetheval]

...It''s really none of my business what you do in private and I hope you respect my rights reciprocally.
Nobody gets out alive anyways so you might as well pick a poison, if it makes you comfortable, and get on with it. God knows when you''ll die, just keep busy doing good works and you''ll find yourself living longer and fuller lives.
You all should worry more about what comes out of your mouths than what goes in it.

[tootall10142]

I SMOKE BUT NOT AROUND CHILDREN OF ANY AGEOR IN AREAS WHERE SMOKE DRIFTS TOWARD NONSMOKERS.I DONT SMOKE IN CARS OR TRUCKS WHEN A NON SMOKER IS PRESENT. I DONT THROW MY FILTERS ON THE GROUND.I PRACTICE THESE THINGS OUT OF RESPECT THAT THEY SHOULDNT HAVE TO BREATHE SOMETHING THEY CHOOSE NOT TO BREATHE.I UNDERSTAND SMOKERS ARE A BURDEN ON SOCIETY WHEN WE BECOME ILL.HERES THE DEAL ILL STOP WASTING YOUR TAX MONEY ON TOBACCO WHEN THE MILITARY OUTLAWS ALL SERVICE MEN AND WOMAN TO STOP OR BE JAILED.IF YOU WANT TOTALTARIAN GOVT. THEN ACT LIKE ONE OR SHUT THE FLUUK UP AND KEEP YOU MOUTH SHUT AND NOSE OUT OF THE BREEZE

[barbaraf4]

We all have to die from something. I would prefer not to die from false, misleading advertising.

[docpeter-2009]

RE: to post by tootall10142 at 09:18 AM : Jul 09, 2008.

I thank you for smoking away from me. I will try to move upwind of you

[starleo146]

When I last smoked 15 years ago. I smoked low tar
cigs as I believed they had less tar. Two years after I quit I had a spontaneous pneumo thorax, which is a
collapsed lung and almost died. I believe if I never
smoked that would not have happened. My lungs are clean now and luckily I never developed cancer.

Posted by laura552 at 02:02 AM : Jul 09, 2008

In 1987 I quit smoking and in1992 I developed lung cancer, my oncologist said it takes 15 yrs to rid your lungs of nicotine of a long term smoker, and I was lucky I survived lung cancer, and have never put a cigarette back in mouth and never will again. These cigarette companies know what they are doing in low tar and all these adds what they are doing is putting more addictive ingredients in to get you, and they make money off killing you slowly.

[starleo146]

Remember the neocons have outright said one of their goals is to get the people of the US to view the government as ineffective and a waste of money, and they have taken steps to ensure that the government works as poorly as possible. Of course their agenda is that when they suggest eliminating government oversight of business, people will welcome them as liberators and heroes. Lets show them otherwise and insist the government regulatory structure be rebuilt, staffed with top-notch people, and made an advocate for the people and a formidable adversary for big business.

Posted by andor3 at 03:48 AM : Jul 09, 2008
+ report abu

yea I second that and fast before Bush and friends with his corporations do us all in.

[ll2owt]

MYOPINION:
I think you may be the type of non-smoker to which I refer. Do you react with the same fervor when you pass
a coal burning power plant or follow a diesel truck down the highway or consider the millions of vehicles spewing carbon dioxide on a continuous basis?? Glad you don''t smoke. Keep it that way, but please answer my question. Tnx

[rushman71]

but hey idiot smokers, u need to remember that once your smoking finally begins to kill you, and you get hospitalized over and over and over and over..eventually taxpayers are paying your medical bills and you are becoming a burden on the country....and it should be every americans goal to not be a burden to society.... the time for accepting mediocrity in this counttry must stop.... you should not be allowed to be stupid......obviously the country was founded on the idea of freedom......obviously freedom only goes so far when people begin to believe they are free to be worthless.... then....everyone else has to pay for them to live....
Posted by joeybergas

Words spoken by a true idiot. Concentrating on a smoke free environment? Look at the health nazis out in California. They are trying to put out the cigarettes, and now they got smoke billowing everywhere from fires. Is that any healthier? I don''t think so. Your going to die anyway, so shut up and live life to the fullest.

[barbaram99]

I will say this,smokers are a small part of it. The bad air is from carbon dioxide,yep. I was out doing things that Vince asked when He was in hospital,it was so bad I was coughing so bad krap out the tail pipes. It gets so bloody thick. Bangor ME did pass the no smoking in car when kids are in there. They were the first to do so. Also in Maine, Maine care makes smokers pay some of their bills,StepMum smokes and so she was telling me the change. I an a Maniner in Seattle and mum don''t have computer. We don''t allow smoking in our apt. Why people smoke today with all the info out there and the price only they know. I did talk to uncle when I was young about his smoking. He said *Barbara,Uncle don''t want ye to smoke.* I was under 9. I ''member cig ads on TV. Years ago a 3 year old grabbed a ceger out of the ash tray. That boy was fast and sick.

You all should worry more about what comes out of your mouths than what goes in it.
Posted by piercetheval
------------
Are you referring to second hand smoke?

[edisenberg-2009]

I thought the reporter missed the real point to the story. According to her report, "a conclusion scientists reached seven years ago when they found the tests were easily and frequently manipulated." The obvious question is, why did it take 7 years for the government to do something?

[edisenberg-2009]

I thought the reporter missed the real point to the story. According to her report, "a conclusion scientists reached seven years ago when they found the tests were easily and frequently manipulated." The obvious question is, why did it take 7 years for the government to do something?

[o2brich]

Man, I''m just glad they''re not coming after fat people like they been hounding smokers.

[mysticstone]

Posted by joeybergas: "you should not be allowed to be stupid......obviously the country was founded on the idea of freedom......obviously freedom only goes so far when people begin to believe they are free to be worthless.... then....everyone else has to pay for them to live...."

Well with thinking, we should ban alcohol, and high fat foods, high caloric foods, high sugar content foods, high sodium foods. All of these lead to some sort of ailment or diease that the taxpayers eventual have to pay for. So all the Obese(whether highly or slightly), over weight people, people who are diabetic you fall into the same category as smokers, whether you smoke or not according to joeybergas-ology.

[joeybergas]

mysticstone...... this article was talking about smokers.....if it was talking about diabetics or fat people i would have addressed them....i have a problem with any and all self destructive behavior... and all these idiots that say you have to die of something...go watch somebody die of lung cancer.....wanna ban etoh? fine with me....ban all that ***.... i dont care... but my MAIN concern in all honesty is other people having to pay for your self destructive behavior.... if i didnt have to pay for it then i wouldnt care that you smoked.....honestly i rarely have a problem avoiding smokers, even in restaurants... i dont think that is the issue... purely the fact that they DO BECOME A BURDEN on the society..which is already burdened enough..