Tobacco manufacturers have changed cigarettes’ designs without alerting smokers: Study
June 20th, 2009 - 12:07 pm ICT by ANI
Washington, June 20 (ANI): A new study from Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) researchers has revealed that tobacco manufacturers have continually changed the design and ingredients of their cigarettes over time, and that such changes have exceeded acceptable product variance guidelines.
The researchers say that consumers who buy the same brand of product are not made aware of the alterations, and how they might affect their levels of addiction or harm.
The findings at a time when U.S. President Barack Obama is preparing to sign a bill giving the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversight of the tobacco industry.
“I hope the FDA requires disclosure of any changes made to tobacco products and that the changes are disallowed if shown to increase appeal, addiction and harm,” said Greg Connolly, director of the Tobacco Control Research Program at HSPH.
During the study, the researchers examined internal tobacco company documents released following the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement.
Connolly and lead author Geoffrey Ferris Wayne say that the documents describe significant changes made to commercial products over time, including blend, processing, casing, flavouring and physical design features.
The researchers observed that despite the constant innovation of tobacco products, which in many cases had exceeded the levels of acceptable variance established within the tobacco industry, the changes were not disclosed to consumers.
“Even incremental changes that occur over a period of years can result in significant design differences. The resulting product may have altered chemistry or delivery, yet the smoker is largely unaware of these changes. This underscores the need for industry transparency and accountability,” said Ferris Wayne.
Connolly and Ferris Wayne suggest that all changes to tobacco products be reported to the FDA until regulators have a system in place for assessing product revisions.
According to them, no changes should be allowed until they have been scientifically shown to reduce addiction or harm.
The study appears in the “Online First” section of the Journal of Tobacco Control. (ANI)
- Tobacco in candy form can lead to accidental poisoning in kids: Study - Apr 19, 2010
- Smoke-free public places law can protect kids from second hand smoke - Jun 07, 2010
- 'Surgeon General' Voices That Just One Cigarette Can Harm The Body By Engendering Deadly Ailments - Dec 10, 2010
- Foetal exposure to chemical BPA causes problems in girls - Oct 24, 2011
- Tobacco industry manipulating cigarette menthol to attract young smokers - Jul 17, 2008
- Debate rages whether E-cigarettes are miracle cure or menace - Jan 26, 2011
- Smokeless tobacco damages DNA, key enzymes - Jun 17, 2010
- Smokeless tobacco products not safe: Study - Sep 14, 2010
- FDA issues stern warning against 'Magic Power Coffee' - Jun 22, 2010
- Putting tobacco out of sight helps put it out of mind: Study - Nov 24, 2010
- Red alert: Lead found in red shades of lipstick - May 27, 2010
- Inadequate, say health activists of new anti-tobacco warnings - Jun 01, 2011
- Harm reduction ciggies 'more harmful than conventional brands' - Oct 21, 2010
- Cancer victim writes to PM for ban on tobacco products - Jun 01, 2011
- Plasma zaps can decontaminate chicken meat - Feb 05, 2012
Tags: acceptable product, barack obama, design differences, design features, fda oversight, ferris, flavouring, food and drug administration, food and drug administration fda, greg connolly, harvard school of public health, hsph, incremental changes, master settlement agreement, school of public health, tobacco company documents, tobacco control research, tobacco industry, tobacco manufacturers, tobacco products