Brayton Purcell LLP

Call For A Free Consultation
800-598-0314

Call For A Free Consultation 800-598-0314

Brayton Purcell LLP
  • Home
  • Firm Overview
    • Our Beliefs
      • Giving Back
      • Our Associations And Memberships
      • The Right To Trial By Jury
    • Regions Served
    • Careers
    • Our Employees Pets
    • Press Releases
  • Attorneys
  • Practice Areas
    • Mesothelioma/Asbestos
    • Personal Injury/Wrongful Death
    • Toxic Substances
    • Estate Planning
    • Other Areas Of Practice
  • Court Successes
    • Trial Verdicts
    • Appeals
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Firm Overview
    • Our Beliefs
      • Giving Back
      • Our Associations And Memberships
      • The Right To Trial By Jury
    • Regions Served
    • Careers
    • Our Employees Pets
    • Press Releases
  • Attorneys
  • Practice Areas
    • Mesothelioma/Asbestos
    • Personal Injury/Wrongful Death
    • Toxic Substances
    • Estate Planning
    • Other Areas Of Practice
  • Court Successes
    • Trial Verdicts
    • Appeals
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact

No Such Thing as a “Safe Cigarette”

by Brayton Purcell LLP | May 2, 2016 | Tobacco

Despite an estimated 480,000 deaths per year due to smoking tobacco products, tobacco companies have marketed their products as safe and healthy for decades. After an undeniable link between smoking and cancer was made public in the 1960s, companies released “light” and “low tar” cigarettes, claiming they were less harmful to smokers’ health. Today, they continue to argue that their products are safe. U.S. District Judge, Gladys Kessler of the District of Columbia, does not agree and wants to see some changes.

man smoking a cigarette

Nearly one decade ago, Judge Kessler ordered tobacco companies to stop marketing low-tar cigarettes as “safer” than regular cigarettes. Five years ago, she ordered these corrective statements to be added to tobacco companies’ websites and advertisements:

  • Many smokers switch to low-tar and light cigarettes rather than quitting because they think low-tar and light cigarettes are less harmful. They are not.
  • “Low tar” and “light” cigarette smokers inhale essentially the same amount of tar and nicotine as they would from regular cigarettes.
  • All cigarettes cause cancer, lung disease, heart attacks, and premature death – lights, low tar, ultra lights, and naturals. There is no safe cigarette.

Tobacco companies have yet to publish these statements, and continue to appeal the ruling. They say that research, conducted by consultants hired by their companies, supports their claims that “light” and “low tar” cigarettes are safer than regular ones. The findings of these consultants tend to differ from sources in the scientific community.

The American Cancer Society has found that the rate of deaths among smokers went up after “light” cigarettes were introduced to the market. The National Cancer Institute has reported that “low-tar” cigarettes do not reduce the risk of disease.

If you are a smoker who switched to “low-tar” or “light” cigarettes after being persuaded by tobacco companies that it was a healthier alternative, you have been deceived. Individuals such as Judge Kessler are working to ensure that future generations do not fall for the same ploy.


Source: Public Integrity

Recent Posts

  • Caring for Someone with Mesothelioma: What to Know
  • 2020 shows promise in the fight for a mesothelioma cure
  • Asbestos in Makeup Products Is a Problem That Is Not Going Away
  • How Did I Get Mesothelioma?
  • What Types of Mesothelioma Claims Do Veterans Have?

Archives

Categories

RSS Feed

Subscribe To This Blog’s Feed

Free Consultation

Take The First Step In Resolving Your Issue. Send Us An Email.

Email Us For A Response

San Francisco
Bay Area Office

222 Rush Landing Road Novato, CA 94945

Novato Office
222 Rush Landing Road
Novato, CA 94945
Toll Free: 800-598-0314
Phone: 415-898-1555
Fax: 415-898-1247

Map & Directions

Southern California
Office

12 28th Street Venice, California 90291

Los Angeles Office
12 28th Street
Venice, California 90291
Toll Free: 800-598-0314
Phone: 415-898-1555
Fax: 415-898-1247

Map & Directions
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow

© 2021 Brayton Purcell LLP. All Rights Reserved.

Disclaimer | Site Map | Privacy Policy | Business Development Solutions by FindLaw, part of Thomson Reuters

Review Us