Tob Control 2001;10(Suppl 1):i12-i16 ( Winter )

Beliefs about "Light" and "Ultra Light" cigarettes and efforts to change those beliefs: an overview of early efforts and published research

Lynn T Kozlowski^a, Janine L Pillitteri^b

^a The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA, ^b Pinney Associates, Seattle, Washington, USA

Correspondence to: Lynn T Kozlowski, PhD, The Pennsylvania State University, Department of Biobehavioral Health, 315 Health and Human Development Building East, University Park, PA 16802-6509, USA ltk1@psu.edu

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

	Introduction

When used as a descriptor for foods, the term "light" has unambiguous meaning. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) labelling regulations for foods require that foods labelled "light" must meet uniform criteria as defined by the FDA. Specifically, light foods must be either reduced in fat by at least 50% or reduced in calories by at least one third.¹ Consumers can therefore be assured that a food labelled "light" actually represents a generally healthier choice than the standard product. It would not be unreasonable, therefore, for consumers to assume that similar standards apply to the labelling of cigarettes. Unfortunately, this is not the case.^2 3 Cigarettes are not currently regulated by the FDA, and unlike foods, cigarettes labelled light do not necessarily represent a healthier choice for smokers.

Light and Ultra Light cigarettes were first introduced in the 1950s and '60s as a response to growing public awareness of the health . . . [Full text of this article]

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