Low-tar Cigarettes Are Not A Safer Choice - Harvard Health

Recent Articles

Driving with arthritis pain: Stay comfortable — and safe — behind the wheel

Daily cup of coffee may prevent afib recurrence

Gene-editing therapy lowers harmful blood fats in early study

What is EMDR therapy, and who can it help?

GLP-1 drugs versus bariatric surgery for treating obesity

Two dumbbells, three exercises, and 10 minutes

Easing the emotional burden of IBS

Modify your push-ups to meet your fitness level

What is long QT syndrome?

Stroke survivors may benefit from very low LDL levels

/ January 23, 2017 Share Share this page to Facebook Share this page to X Share this page via Email Copy this page to clipboard Print This Page Click to Print

Studies show smoking high-tar unfiltered cigarettes, as opposed to medium-tar filtered cigarettes, greatly increases your risk of lung cancer. So, cigarettes labeled as low-tar or ultra light are an even safer choice, right? Wrong. A study comparing the lung cancer risks of different types of cigarettes found this seemingly logical assumption is false.

The study six years and involved over 900,000 Americans over the age of 30. The researchers compared the risk of death from lung cancer among men and women who were smokers, former smokers, or had never smoked. When analyzed according to the tar rating of cigarette smoked, the results of the study showed the risk of lung cancer death was greatest for smokers of high-tar unfiltered cigarettes. The risk of lung cancer death was no different among smokers of medium-, low-, and very low-tar cigarettes.

These findings do not come as a complete surprise to researchers. A previous study showed smokers of low-tar cigarettes compensate for the decrease in tar level by changing their inhalation pattern. By blocking ventilation holes in the filter, increasing the drag time, holding the puff longer and deeper, or smoking more cigarettes, addicted smokers may maintain their nicotine intake (and exposure to carcinogens) with low-tar cigarettes.

Low-tar cigarettes were not developed until the 1960s and 1970s. Ultra light cigarettes are even newer. Many of the study's participants smoked medium- or high-tar cigarettes before lower tar cigarettes became available. For this reason, it was impossible for the researchers to evaluate the risk of lung cancer for those who exclusively smoke low and very low-tar cigarettes. Despite this, the researchers believe low-tar cigarettes have been around long enough and the evidence is sufficient to suggest low-tar cigarettes carry the same risk as medium-tar.

Becoming a non-smoker is difficult, but the benefits – reduced risk of lung cancer and heart disease, to name a few - are well worth it at any age. Switching to low-tar or ultra light cigarettes is not the answer to reducing your risk of disease. Many methods for quitting smoking are out there to help you achieve your goal. Contact the American Lung Association, American Heart Association, or American Cancer Society for more information. Speak with your doctor about which method may be right for you.

Share Share this page to Facebook Share this page to X Share this page via Email Copy this page to clipboard Print This Page Click to Print

Disclaimer:

As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.

No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.

Recent Articles

Driving with arthritis pain: Stay comfortable — and safe — behind the wheel

Daily cup of coffee may prevent afib recurrence

Gene-editing therapy lowers harmful blood fats in early study

What is EMDR therapy, and who can it help?

GLP-1 drugs versus bariatric surgery for treating obesity

Two dumbbells, three exercises, and 10 minutes

Easing the emotional burden of IBS

Modify your push-ups to meet your fitness level

What is long QT syndrome?

Stroke survivors may benefit from very low LDL levels

/

Related Topics

Staying Healthy

12 ways to curb your drinking

Mind & Mood

Feel like you should be drinking less? Start here

Staying Healthy

5 myths about using Suboxone to treat opioid addiction

Addiction Mind & Mood

Free Healthbeat Signup

Get the latest in health news delivered to your inbox!

Sign Up Close

Thanks for visiting. Don't miss your FREE gift.

25 Gut Health Hacks is yours absolutely FREE when you sign up to receive health information from Harvard Medical School.

Sign up to get tips for living a healthy lifestyle, with ways to lessen digestion problems…keep inflammation under control…learn simple exercises to improve your balance…understand your options for cataract treatment…all delivered to your email box FREE.

I want to get healthier This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Close

Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School

And a FREE copy of the new report 25 Gut Health Hacks!

Sign up to receive HealthBeat emails from Harvard Health Publishing and get helpful tips and guidance for ways to lessen digestion problems… keep inflammation under control… learn simple exercises to improve your balance… understand your options for cataract treatment… all delivered to your email inbox FREE. PLUS, you'll get the latest news on medical advances and breakthroughs from Harvard Medical School experts, and special offers on content from Harvard Health Publishing.

I want to get healthier This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Close

Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School.

Plus, get a FREE copy of 25 Gut Health Hacks.

Sign me up Close

Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School.

Plus, get a FREE copy of 25 Gut Health Hacks.

Sign me up This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.