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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Unice Lieberman

202-661-5711

unice.lieberman@cancer.org

 

 

Statement of American Cancer Society CEO John R. Seffrin, Ph.D.  

 

“The least lethal cigarettes are the ones you never smoke.”

Health marketing claims to the contrary – either direct or implied – only serve to delay cessation efforts among those most at risk.  Even worse, such claims may actually increase initiation among others who might falsely believe their risk of tobacco-related disease to be reduced.

Early epidemiological studies indicated that smokers of lower tar cigarettes might have lower lung cancer rates.  The marketing of lower tar cigarettes as less risky also resulted in smokers switching from higher yield cigarettes in an effort to reduce disease risk.  As a result, use of low tar cigarettes grew until this variety became the dominant type sold in the United States.

Today’s report is the most comprehensive ever conducted of the risks of smoking cigarettes with low machine yields of tar and nicotine.  It represents a watershed in terms of what we know and what we should be recommending to smokers.

Despite our earlier hopes, this report makes clear that the hoped-for and expected lung cancer risk reduction in cigarettes that test low on machines has not been realized.  When all of the epidemiological evidence is evaluated in the context of what is currently known about cigarette design, this report concludes that all of the cigarette design changes that have occurred during the last 50 years have not reduced the disease risk in smokers.

The National Cancer Institute report demonstrates that our nation’s experiment with “light” and “low tar” cigarettes has been a failure.  In the absence of meaningful government regulation the tobacco industry has designed products that score low on machine tests but do not deliver a public health benefit.  It has also used the terms “light” and “low tar” in its marketing to persuade smokers concerned about their health that these products provide an alternative to quitting or not starting.

I join with my public health colleagues today to deliver a new and clear message to smokers:  Based on what we know now, the only scientifically valid way to avoid tobacco disease altogether is to quit smoking.  Period.

It is time for truth in advertising to be required of the tobacco companies, just as it is of other businesses that market to consumers.  It’s also time for Congress to grant effective regulatory authority over tobacco products to the Food and Drug Administration.  

            The American Cancer Society, as the nation’s leading voluntary health organization, remains committed to its core mission of supporting science-based discovery.  We would welcome any rigorous scientific inquiry that might further the legitimate investigation of harm reduction in tobacco products, IF such investigation were to occur under truly independent, impartial regulatory oversight, such as that offered by the FDA.” 

The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy and service. 

For information about cancer, call toll-free anytime 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit the American Cancer Society website at www.cancer.org.

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