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Nicotine
Low tar and nicotine cigarette?
Originally Published: January 20, 1995
 
Alice,

I was wondering if you could tell me what the cigarette with the lowest tar and nicotine is on the market or if there is one with no nicotine?

Thanks, Mr. Camel

 

Dear Mr. Camel,

Tobacco smoke contains hundreds of damaging chemical substances. Smoke from an unfiltered cigarette contains about 5 billion particles per cubic millimeter. These particles, when condensed, form the brown, sticky mass called cigarette tar. Some chemicals in tobacco tar are linked to the development of cancer. Some, such as benzopyrene and vinyl chloride are carcinogens (directly cause cancer), while others such as formaldehyde and phenol are cocarcinogens (combine with other chemicals to stimulate growth of certain cancers). Tobacco also contains poisonous substances, including arsenic. In addition to being an addictive psychoactive drug, nicotine is also a poison and can be fatal in high doses.

Specifically, what follows is some data from a report done by the Federal Trade Commission in 1992 concerning the tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide content of 933 brands of cigarettes manufactured and sold in the U.S.:

14 Varieties Lowest in "Tar" Content (from lowest to highest)

  1. Carlton, King size, filter, hard pack, ultra light
  2. Now, 100s, filter, hard pack
  3. Now, King size, filter, hard pack
  4. Cambridge, King size, filter, soft pack, low
  5. Bristol, King size, filter, low
  6. Now, King size, filter, soft pack
  7. Now, King size, filter, menthol, hard pack
  8. Carlton, 100s, filter, hard pack, menthol, light
  9. Carlton, King size, filter, hard pack, ultra light 83
  10. Carlton, King size, soft pack, menthol, ultra light
  11. Carlton, 100s, filter, hard pack, ultra light
  12. Carlton, King size, soft pack, ultra light
  13. Merit, King size, soft pack, ultra mild
  14. Merit, King size, hard pack, ultra mild

Varieties Lowest in Nicotine Content (not in descending order)

  • Benson and Hedges, ultra light
  • Benson and Hedges, de-nic, light
  • Bristol 100s
  • Cambridge Kings, low
  • Carlton 100s, light and ultra-lights
  • Kent, ultra light III
  • Kool, ultra light
  • Merit Ultima
  • Now 100s and kings
  • Raleigh extra, ultra light
  • Salem, ultra light
  • Sterling, ultra light
  • True kings
  • Winston 100s, ultra light

This information in its entirety is available for free upon request from the Federal Trade Commission, Division of Advertising Practices, 202-326-3398.

Alice

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