Study links cigarette changes to rising lung risk

[onehandle]

Source: AP

WASHINGTON – It may be riskier on the lungs to smoke cigarettes today than it was a few decades ago — at least in the U.S., says new research that blames changes in cigarette design for fueling a certain type of lung cancer. Up to half of the nation's lung cancer cases may be due to those changes, Dr. David Burns of the University of California, San Diego, told a recent meeting of tobacco researchers.

It's not the first time that scientists have concluded the 1960s movement for lower-tar cigarettes brought some unexpected consequences. But this study, while preliminary, is among the most in-depth looks. And intriguingly it found the increase in a kind of lung tumor called adenocarcinoma was higher in the U.S. than in Australia even though both countries switched to so-called milder cigarettes at the same time.

"The most likely explanation for it is a change in the cigarette," Burns said in an interview — and he cited a difference: Cigarettes sold in Australia contain lower levels of nitrosamines, a known carcinogen, than those sold in the U.S.

But anti-smoking advocates are citing the study as Congress considers whether the Food and Drug Administration should regulate tobacco, legislation that would give the agency power to decide such things as whether to set caps on certain chemicals in tobacco smoke. Smokers once tended to get lung cancer in larger air tubes, particularly a type named "squamous cell carcinoma." Then doctors noticed a jump in adenocarcinoma, which grows in small air sacs far deeper in the lung. Initial studies blamed introduction of filtered, lower-tar cigarettes. When smokers switched, they began inhaling more deeply to get their nicotine jolt, pushing cancer-causing smoke deeper than before.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090518/ap_on_he_me/us_med_smoking_risk

[ejpoeta]

1. i friggin knew it!!!! when i was a kid my mom smoked like a chimney.

she had a cigarette going in every room. none of us kids ever had any problems... i figure what happened was after they made them put the warnings on the side they did something to them to make them more addictive and harder to quit. and whatever they did made the thing worse for you. now, my mom was sick for like five years and had kidney failure and all kinds of problems i do not believe were associated with the cigarettes. the doctors did tell her to quit, at which she lit up a cigarette in front of them. she smoked until she died.

i am so happy my husband has been smoke free for three weeks now. he's doing great!! he is having the help of chantix in his efforts this time which seems to be working well for him. i was worried about possible side effects. and i worry about once he is no longer taking it. he has quit before and then started up again a year later. i could have smacked him. grr. hopefully this time he is done for good. i know he doesn't want to smoke anymore.

[berni_mccoy]

2. I've often wondered if smoking Natural Tobacco would have less risk than manufactured cigarettes

[JDPriestly]

3. Tobacco has to be cured, and I think that is done with ammonia.

So, I don't think it can be really safe. My grandfather used to use tobacco as an insecticide. He claimed it worked. It's just bad for you. Sorry.

[RaleighNCDUer]

11. I betcha the native americans didn't use ammonia on their tobacco.

In fact, I'd wager nobody did until the early 20th century. The old 'hang it in the shed for a year or so till it's ready' wasn't fast enough for the industry so they found chemical means of speeding the curing process.

I always wondered what natural tobacco would taste like and now, as an ex-smoker, I will never know.

[Richard D]

22. Amonia . . .

. . . also makes the nicotine enter the blood much faster than it would without. Jungle tobacco, nicotiana rustica, is used extensively for insecticides.

[MISSDem]

28. Edgar Casey (the sleeping prophet) said that a little nicotine

was good for a person.

[Richard D]

8. Probably . . .

. . . I think it's something like 40% of what is in a commercial cigarette is chemical and other additives. Can't be good.
If I were smoking cigarettes I'd only smoke hand rolled organic tobacco rolled in a high quality natural paper.

[olddad56]

30. I've always wondered about the filters and their role in causing cancer.

[laureloak]

4. Adenocarcinoma is deadlier than squamous cell.

Nothing new...I've been reading about this for years. People in their thirties are dying from small cell lung cancer. Remember the charcoal filters back in the 60's? Tarltons? Those smokers,too, thought they were lessening their risks when actually it was more deadly.

Did you know....tobacco use is a major cause of tooth loss.....Smoking related cancer usually shows up within 5 years of quitting...if your parents or siblings have had cancer your risk is 50% greater.

There is NOTHING good about tobacco use, aka nicotine addiction. I think it should be banned everywhere and until that happens, tobacco should be controlled by the FDA. We need free and agressive government programs to help people get free of the nicotine addiction once and for all.

[oldironside]

5. NOTHING good about tobacco

I agree totally. The tobacco barons are as evil as the military industrial complex. ~Tobacco has no positives at all. It will take your money, your health, your time and your looks. I wonder how many of these people amassing fortunes on other people's misery call themselves Christians.

For those of you wanting to give up I can heartily recommend Alan Carr's books. Helped me go from 50 a day to nothing.

[MindPilot]

6. Ban tobacco? Great! let's create another black market.

You do realize that tobacco is a plant, right? You are suggesting the prohibition of a plant; I believe there is substantial evidence that doesn't work very well.

[laureloak]

23. I'm not stupid! Get rid of tobacco products once and for all.

I spent much of my childhood working in tobacco fields: topping, handing, stringing, curing.

I've had a lung removed because of cancer.

When I say, "There is NOTHING good about tobacco" I know what I'm talking about.

[peacetalksforall]

7. There are between 100 and 1 50/200 additives in cigarettes. Perhaps

a conspiracist like me could say that if they remove one that people will think they are safe.

We're talking chemicals, burned ammonia, burned MSG, etc.

But this is amout morals, also. The morality of smoking around children, the morality of profiting from body poisons, the morality of inticing children, the morality of poisons blanketing the air above the earth, the morlaity of feeding the already wealthy tobacco conglomerations and lawyers who lie wearing their suits and ties, the morality of our leaders who opened the doors.

[Richard D]

9. Here's a brief list of common additives.

* Acetanisole
* Acetic Acid
* Acetoin
* Acetophenone
* 6-Acetoxydihydrotheaspirane
* 2-Acetyl-3- Ethylpyrazine
* 2-Acetyl-5-Methylfuran
* Acetylpyrazine
* 2-Acetylpyridine
* 3-Acetylpyridine
* 2-Acetylthiazole
* Aconitic Acid
* dl-Alanine
* Allyl Hexanoate
* Allyl Ionone
* Ambergris Tincture
* Ammonia
* Ammonium Bicarbonate
* Ammonium Hydroxide
* Ammonium Phosphate Dibasic
* Ammonium Sulfide
* Amyl Alcohol
* Amyl Butyrate
* Amyl Formate
* Amyl Octanoate
* alpha-Amylcinnamaldehyde
* Amyris Oil
* trans-Anethole
* Anisyl Acetate
* Anisyl Alcohol
* Anisyl Formate
* Anisyl Phenylacetate
* 1-Arginine
* Asafetida Fluid Extract And Oil
* Ascorbic Acid
* 1-Asparagine Monohydrate
* 1-Aspartic Acid
* Benzaldehyde
* Benzaldehyde Glyceryl Acetal
* Benzoic Acid, Benzoin
* Benzoin Resin
* Benzophenone
* Benzyl Alcohol
* Benzyl Benzoate
* Benzyl Butyrate
* Benzyl Cinnamate
* Benzyl Propionate
* Benzyl Salicylate
* Bisabolene
* Borneol
* Bornyl Acetate
* 1,3-Butanediol
* 2,3-Butanedione
* 1-Butanol
* 2-Butanone
* 4(2-Butenylidene)-3,5,5-Trimethyl-2-Cyclohexen-1-One
* Butter, Butter Esters, and Butter Oil
* Butyl Acetate
* Butyl Butyrate
* Butyl Butyryl Lactate
* Butyl Isovalerate
* Butyl Phenylacetate
* Butyl Undecylenate
* 3-Butylidenephthalide
* Butyric Acid
* Cadinene
* Caffeine
* Calcium Carbonate
* Camphene
* Capsicum Oleoresin
* Carvacrol
* 4-Carvomenthenol
* 1-Carvone
* beta-Caryophyllene
* beta-Caryophyllene Oxide
* Castoreum Extract, Tincture and Absolute
* Cedrol
* Cellulose Fiber
* Cinnamaldehyde
* Cinnamic Acid
* Cinnamyl Acetate
* Cinnamyl Alcohol
* Cinnamyl Cinnamate
* Cinnamyl Isovalerate
* Cinnamyl Propionate
* dl-Citronellol
* Citronellyl Butyrate
* Citronellyl Isobutyrate
* Cuminaldehyde
* para-Cymene
* 1-Cysteine
* 2-trans, 4-trans-Decadienal
* delta-Decalactone
* gamma-Decalactone
* Decanal
* Decanoic Acid
* 1-Decanol
* 2-Decenal
* Dehydromenthofurolactone
* Diethyl Malonate
* Diethyl Sebacate
* 2,3-Diethylpyrazine
* Dihydro Anethole
* 5,7-Dihydro-2-Methylthieno(3,4-D) Pyrimidine
* meta-Dimethoxybenzene
* para-Dimethoxybenzene
* 2,6-Dimethoxyphenol
* Dimethyl Succinate
* 3,4-Dimethyl-1,2 Cyclopentanedione
* 3,5- Dimethyl-1,2-Cyclopentanedione
* 3,7-Dimethyl-1,3,6-Octatriene
* 4,5-Dimethyl-3-Hydroxy-2,5-Dihydrofuran-2-One
* 6,10-Dimethyl-5,9-Undecadien-2-One
* 3,7-Dimethyl-6-Octenoic Acid
* 2,4 Dimethylacetophenone
* alpha,para-Dimethylbenzyl Alcohol
* alpha,alpha-Dimethylphenethyl Acetate
* alpha,alpha Dimethylphenethyl Butyrate
* 2,3-Dimethylpyrazine
* 2,5-Dimethylpyrazine
* 2,6-Dimethylpyrazine
* Dimethyltetrahydrobenzofuranone
* delta-Dodecalactone
* gamma-Dodecalactone
* para-Ethoxybenzaldehyde
* Ethyl 10-Undecenoate
* Ethyl 2-Methylbutyrate
* Ethyl Acetate
* Ethyl Acetoacetate
* Ethyl Alcohol
* Ethyl Benzoate
* Ethyl Butyrate
* Ethyl Cinnamate
* Ethyl Decanoate
* Ethyl Fenchol
* Ethyl Furoate
* Ethyl Heptanoate
* Ethyl Hexanoate
* Ethyl Isovalerate
* Ethyl Lactate
* Ethyl Laurate
* Ethyl Levulinate
* Ethyl Maltol
* Ethyl Methyl Phenylglycidate
* Ethyl Myristate
* Ethyl Nonanoate
* Ethyl Octadecanoate
* Ethyl Octanoate
* Ethyl Oleate
* Ethyl Palmitate
* Ethyl Phenylacetate
* Ethyl Propionate
* Ethyl Salicylate
* Ethyl trans-2-Butenoate
* Ethyl Valerate
* Ethyl Vanillin
* 2-Ethyl (or Methyl)-(3,5 and 6)-Methoxypyrazine
* 2-Ethyl-1-Hexanol, 3-Ethyl -2 -Hydroxy-2-Cyclopenten-1-One
* 2-Ethyl-3, (5 or 6)-Dimethylpyrazine
* 5-Ethyl-3-Hydroxy-4-Methyl-2(5H)-Furanone
* 2-Ethyl-3-Methylpyrazine
* 4-Ethylbenzaldehyde
* 4-Ethylguaiacol
* para-Ethylphenol
* 3-Ethylpyridine
* Eucalyptol
* Farnesol
* D-Fenchone
* Food Starch Modified
* Furfuryl Mercaptan
* 4-(2-Furyl)-3-Buten-2-One
* Galbanum Oil
* Geraniol
* Geranyl Acetate
* Geranyl Butyrate
* Geranyl Formate
* Geranyl Isovalerate
* Geranyl Phenylacetate
* 1-Glutamic Acid
* 1-Glutamine
* Glycerol
* Glycyrrhizin Ammoniated
* Guaiac Wood Oil
* Guaiacol
* 2,4-Heptadienal
* gamma-Heptalactone
* Heptanoic Acid
* 2-Heptanone
* 3-Hepten-2-One
* 2-Hepten-4-One
* 4-Heptenal
* trans -2-Heptenal
* Heptyl Acetate
* omega-6-Hexadecenlactone
* gamma-Hexalactone
* Hexanal
* Hexanoic Acid
* 2-Hexen-1-Ol
* 3-Hexen-1-Ol
* cis-3-Hexen-1-Yl Acetate
* 2-Hexenal
* 3-Hexenoic Acid
* trans-2-Hexenoic Acid
* cis-3-Hexenyl Formate
* Hexyl 2-Methylbutyrate
* Hexyl Acetate
* Hexyl Alcohol
* Hexyl Phenylacetate
* 1-Histidine
* Hops Oil
* 5-Hydroxy-2,4-Decadienoic Acid delta- Lactone
* 4-Hydroxy-2,5-Dimethyl-3(2H)-Furanone
* 2-Hydroxy-3,5,5-Trimethyl-2-Cyclohexen-1-One
* 4-Hydroxy -3-Pentenoic Acid Lactone
* 2-Hydroxy-4-Methylbenzaldehyde
* 4-Hydroxybutanoic Acid Lactone
* Hydroxycitronellal
* 6-Hydroxydihydrotheaspirane
* 4-(para-Hydroxyphenyl)-2-Butanone
* Immortelle Absolute and Extract
* alpha-Ionone
* beta-Ionone
* alpha-Irone
* Isoamyl Acetate
* Isoamyl Benzoate
* Isoamyl Butyrate
* Isoamyl Cinnamate
* Isoamyl Formate, Isoamyl Hexanoate
* Isoamyl Isovalerate
* Isoamyl Octanoate
* Isoamyl Phenylacetate
* Isobornyl Acetate
* Isobutyl Acetate
* Isobutyl Alcohol
* Isobutyl Cinnamate
* Isobutyl Phenylacetate
* Isobutyl Salicylate
* 2-Isobutyl-3-Methoxypyrazine
* alpha-Isobutylphenethyl Alcohol
* Isobutyraldehyde
* Isobutyric Acid
* d,l-Isoleucine
* alpha-Isomethylionone
* 2-Isopropylphenol
* Isovaleric Acid
* Labdanum Absolute and Oleoresin
* Lactic Acid
* Lauric Acid
* Lauric Aldehyde
* Lavandin Oil
* 1-Leucine
* Levulinic Acid
* Linalool
* Linalool Oxide
* Linalyl Acetate
* 1-Lysine]
* Mace Powder, Extract and Oil
* Magnesium Carbonate
* Malic Acid
* Malt and Malt Extract
* Maltodextrin
* Maltol
* Maltyl Isobutyrate
* para-Mentha-8-Thiol-3-One
* Menthol
* Menthone
* Menthyl Acetate
* dl-Methionine
* Methoprene
* 2-Methoxy-4-Methylphenol
* 2-Methoxy-4-Vinylphenol
* para-Methoxybenzaldehyde
* 1-(para-Methoxyphenyl)-1-Penten-3-One
* 4-(para-Methoxyphenyl)-2-Butanone
* 1-(para-Methoxyphenyl)-2-Propanone
* Methoxypyrazine
* Methyl 2-Furoate
* Methyl 2-Octynoate
* Methyl 2-Pyrrolyl Ketone
* Methyl Anisate
* Methyl Anthranilate
* Methyl Benzoate
* Methyl Cinnamate
* Methyl Dihydrojasmonate
* Methyl Ester of Rosin, Partially Hydrogenated
* Methyl Isovalerate
* Methyl Linoleate (48%)
* Methyl Linolenate (52%) Mixture
* Methyl Naphthyl Ketone
* Methyl Nicotinate
* Methyl Phenylacetate
* Methyl Salicylate
* Methyl Sulfide
* 3-Methyl-1-Cyclopentadecanone
* 4-Methyl-1-Phenyl-2-Pentanone
* 5-Methyl-2-Phenyl-2-Hexenal
* 5-Methyl-2-Thiophenecarboxaldehyde
* 6-Methyl-3,-5-Heptadien-2-One
* 2-Methyl-3-(para-Isopropylphenyl) Propionaldehyde
* 5-Methyl-3-Hexen-2-One
* 1-Methyl-3Methoxy-4-Isopropylbenzene
* 4-Methyl-3-Pentene-2-One
* 2-Methyl-4-Phenylbutyraldehyde
* 6-Methyl-5-Hepten-2-One
* 4-Methyl-5-Thiazoleethanol
* 4-Methyl-5-Vinylthiazole
* Methyl-alpha-Ionone
* Methyl-trans-2-Butenoic Acid
* 4-Methylacetophenone
* para-Methylanisole
* alpha-Methylbenzyl Acetate
* alpha-Methylbenzyl Alcohol
* 2-Methylbutyraldehyde
* 3-Methylbutyraldehyde
* 2-Methylbutyric Acid
* alpha-Methylcinnamaldehyde
* Methylcyclopentenolone
* 2-Methylheptanoic Acid
* 2-Methylhexanoic Acid
* 3-Methylpentanoic Acid
* 4-Methylpentanoic Acid
* 2-Methylpyrazine
* 5-Methylquinoxaline
* 2-Methyltetrahydrofuran-3-One
* (Methylthio)Methylpyrazine (Mixture Of Isomers)
* 3-Methylthiopropionaldehyde
* Methyl 3-Methylthiopropionate
* 2-Methylvaleric Acid
* Myristaldehyde
* Myristic Acid
* beta-Napthyl Ethyl Ether
* Nerol
* Neroli Bigarde Oil
* Nerolidol
* Nona-2-trans,6-cis-Dienal
* 2,6-Nonadien-1-Ol
* gamma-Nonalactone
* Nonanal
* Nonanoic Acid
* Nonanone
* trans-2-Nonen-1-Ol
* 2-Nonenal
* Nonyl Acetate
* 9,12-Octadecadienoic Acid
* 9,12,15-Octadecatrienoic Acid
* delta-Octalactone
* gamma-Octalactone
* Octanal
* Octanoic Acid
* 1-Octanol
* 2-Octanone
* 3-Octen-2-One
* 1-Octen-3-Ol
* 1-Octen-3-Yl Acetate
* 2-Octenal
* Octyl Isobutyrate
* Oleic Acid
* Olibanum Oil
* Opoponax Oil And Gum
* Origanum Oil
* Palmitic Acid
* omega-Pentadecalactone
* 2,3-Pentanedione
* 2-Pentanone
* 4-Pentenoic Acid
* 2-Pentylpyridine
* Petitgrain Absolute, Mandarin Oil and Terpeneless Oil
* alpha-Phellandrene
* 2-Phenenthyl Acetate
* Phenenthyl Alcohol
* Phenethyl Butyrate
* Phenethyl Cinnamate
* Phenethyl Isobutyrate
* Phenethyl Isovalerate
* Phenethyl Phenylacetate
* Phenethyl Salicylate
* 1-Phenyl-1-Propanol
* 3-Phenyl-1-Propanol
* 2-Phenyl-2-Butenal
* 4-Phenyl-3-Buten-2-Ol
* 4-Phenyl-3-Buten-2-One
* Phenylacetaldehyde
* Phenylacetic Acid
* 1-Phenylalanine
* 3-Phenylpropionaldehyde
* 3-Phenylpropionic Acid
* 3-Phenylpropyl Acetate
* 3-Phenylpropyl Cinnamate
* 2-(3-Phenylpropyl)Tetrahydrofuran
* Phosphoric Acid
* alpha-Pinene, beta-Pinene
* D-Piperitone
* Piperone
* Potassium Sorbate
* 1-Proline
* Propenylguaethol
* Propionic Acid
* Propyl Acetate
* Propyl para-Hydroxybenzoate
* Propylene Glycol
* 3-Propylidenephthalide
* Pyridine
* Pyroligneous Acid And Extract
* Pyrrole
* Pyruvic Acid
* Rhodinol
* Rum Ether
* Salicylaldehyde
* Sclareolide
* Skatole
* Smoke Flavor
* Snakeroot Oil
* Sodium Acetate
* Sodium Benzoate
* Sodium Bicarbonate
* Sodium Carbonate
* Sodium Chloride
* Sodium Citrate
* Sodium Hydroxide
* Solanone
* Styrax Extract, Gum and Oil
* Sucrose Octaacetate
* Sugar Alcohols
* Sugars
* Tagetes Oil
* Tannic Acid
* Tartaric Acid
* alpha-Terpineol
* Terpinolene
* Terpinyl Acetate
* 5,6,7,8-Tetrahydroquinoxaline
* 1,5,5,9-Tetramethyl-13-Oxatricyclo(8.3.0.0(4,9))Tridecane
* 2,3,4,5, and 3,4,5,6-Tetramethylethyl-Cyclohexanone
* 2,3,5,6-Tetramethylpyrazine
* Thiamine Hydrochloride
* Thiazole
* 1-Threonine
* Thymol
* Tobacco Extracts
* Tocopherols (mixed)
* Tolualdehydes
* para-Tolyl 3-Methylbutyrate
* para-Tolyl Acetaldehyde
* para-Tolyl Acetate
* para-Tolyl Isobutyrate
* para-Tolyl Phenylacetate
* Triacetin
* 2-Tridecanone
* 2-Tridecenal
* Triethyl Citrate
* 3,5,5-Trimethyl -1-Hexanol
* para,alpha,alpha-Trimethylbenzyl Alcohol
* 4-(2,6,6-Trimethylcyclohex-1-Enyl)But-2-En-4-One
* 2,6,6-Trimethylcyclohex-2-Ene-1,4-Dione
* 2,6,6-Trimethylcyclohexa-1,3-Dienyl Methan
* 4-(2,6,6-Trimethylcyclohexa-1,3-Dienyl)But-2-En-4-One
* 2,2,6-Trimethylcyclohexanone
* 2,3,5-Trimethylpyrazine
* 1-Tyrosine
* delta-Undercalactone
* gamma-Undecalactone
* Undecanal
* 2-Undecanone, 1
* 0-Undecenal
* Urea
* Valencene
* Valeraldehyde
* gamma-Valerolactone
* Valine
* Veratraldehyde
* Vinegar
* Xanthan Gum
* 3,4-Xylenol

[peacetalksforall]

10. Thanks. I always wanted to see the list. And I assume that most are used to

keept someone coming back for more? So sad. Chemistry gone bad.

[Richard D]

13. My assumption is

Some are preservatives, some are flavor enhancers to create brand name taste, some are to keep the tobacco moist, some are cheaper than tobacco fillers, but the majority are likely to make the nicotine absorb faster and be more addictive.

[clspector]

34. Sugar

It makes the nicotine more addictive.

[Journeyman]

20. Two things the chemicals do serve the interests of the tobacco dealers. . .

Cigarettes don't "side burn," the hot spot stays on the end of the tube and doesn't "run" down the side as you'd find in a hand-rolled cigarette or a marijuana smoke. Partly this is manufacturing, and the even cut of the leaf, but there are chemicals involved as well, chemicals that keep the ember evenly distributed and burning consistent. Aside from the aesthetics, this helps ensure the cigarette will continue to burn, whether the smoker is sucking on it or not. And secondly, cigarettes don't burn out. They will burn to the end, whether the smoker sucks or not. Taken together, the even ember and the steady burn ensure the cigarette will be entirely used once its lit.

As you can see, this serves the interests of both smoker and dealer, though undoubtedly more to the dealer's benefit.

Worse for the smoker, however, the continual burn means he doesn't have to play an active part in smoking, that the smoke will remain in the air once the cigarette is lit (contributing second-hand smoke to the room), and worse, that the hot box will remain active even if the smoker falls asleep. This is a major cause of cigarette-started home fires. And this doesn't have to be. It's all chemicals -- which despite what Disney and Monsanto would have us believe, doesn't always make our lives better.

[RaleighNCDUer]

25. Back when I was a two-pack a day smoker (in the dark ages when

you could still smoke at your desk at work) I probably only smoked one pack a day - the second pack burned itself up in the ashtray as I worked.

I have no doubt they planned it that way. It literally doubled their sales.

[peacetalksforall]

27. Thanks Richard D and Journeyman. This has been educational.

[DoctorMyEyes]

32. Your info is no longer valid

Aside from the aesthetics, this helps ensure the cigarette will continue to burn, whether the smoker is sucking on it or not. And secondly, cigarettes don't burn out. They will burn to the end, whether the smoker sucks or not. Taken together, the even ember and the steady burn ensure the cigarette will be entirely used once its lit.

Most states now insist that all cigarettes sole are FSC or "Fire Safe Cigarette". They say it's not a new chemical additive but rather the design of the paper that makes the cigarettes burn out. Constantly.

I've been a smoker for 36 years but the damn "fire safe" cigarette paper was the last straw for me and I've finally found something that's working to help me quit. (Electronic cigarette that the FDA is currently trying to ban! But, that's another story.)

And I suspect the "fire safe cigarettes" are going to increase lung cancer rates in smokers too. If the lower tar compelled smokers to inhale more deeply the FSC cigarettes compel them to draw more often. (Frantically, really if you want it to stay lit!) And re-lighting them only causes little pieces to fall off and burn your clothes.

[Journeyman]

33. Thanks for the update. As a non-smoker, I had no idea of these changes. . .

I should have stated in my post that my info came from the education I received when I quit smoking. Evidently, after 20+ years, things have changed. And from what you say, evidently not for the better.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

12. The question should be WHY are they allowed to use these toxins

in something that is legally sold to be ingested? I hate our government...

[Richard D]

14. Good question

It's probably because cigarettes are in a gray area and not regulated by the FDA.

[gratuitous]

16. Not regulated by FDA

The tobacco companies succeeded in persuading Congress back in the 1960s that because nothing is "consumed" in the smoking of a cigarette, it's not under the purview of the Food and Drug Administration. Complete poppycock, but money talks in Washington.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

18. I am not surprised. "Nothing consumed" ?- bizarre

Hateful loathesome inexcusibly corrupt government we have....

[gratuitous]

21. I'm trying to remember

The deal was a horse trade thing: The government would agree to not regulate tobacco under the FDA, and cigarette companies either had to put the warning label on the cigarettes or stop advertising in over-the-air media (television and radio). Although the Surgeon General's 1964 report had come out with its definitive statement linking smoking to lung cancer, the tobacco companies were quite busily engaging in their fraud on the public, working hard to muddy the waters and confuse the issue in the public mind.

I don't want to see tobacco banned; but every company that markets tobacco and tobacco products should be held liable for the damages they cause.

[peacetalksforall]

26. We can be known as the Half-Dead Nation. Always the bargains between Congress andour own

government paid employees in the Departments pushed and bribed by the lobbyists - who do the work of writing the documentation and bills.

It's the full dead nation for some of our friends and relatives?

Ever wonder about the statistics and autism and some of the other problems for our kids? Poison smoke, poison pregnancies, fungicides in the grass, plastic-plastic everywhere, candy with msg, bacon with nitrites and nitrates.

People called us the industrial nation, we're the half-dead nation.

[mbperrin]

19. Mostly vitamins, aren't they?

Do I REALLY need a sarcasm tag?

[martymar64]

15. Another good reason to quit . . .along with my bronchitis

thanks for the info

[bat country]

17. Findings like this may also help

clear the way for legal action against tobacco manufacturers. Big tobaccy has done a very good job, legally speaking, in defending, delaying and diverting meaningful efforts for tobacco victims to have their day in court.

[laureloak]

24. They've known this for years and years and nothings come of it.

[MISSDem]

29. Everything in moderation

including moderation.

[BreweryYardRat]

31. SO glad I switched to pipe tobacco recently.

Mind you, I was smoking cigars before that, so I wasn't dealing with the full toxicity of cigarettes in any case.

I'll have to see what's available in terms of organic pipe tobacco.

[firedupdem]

35. Scary Scary Scary

I quit yesterday. I have almost made it a full 24 hours. However, I sometimes think I'm doomed anyway. When I read this stuff I figure my days are probably numbered. It's so depressing. Why did I ever start this stupid shit! uugh!