“Light” cigarettes are as bad as normal cigarettes. Their spread could be attributed to the increase in adenocarcinoma cases, the most common form of lung cancer as suggested by the authors of a U. S. research published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. The filters and ventilation system are to blame. We talk about this topic with Dr. Licia Siracusano, an oncologist and contact person at the Humanitas Cancer Center.
No benefit from light cigarettes
Researchers from Ohio State University and five other research centers have tried to understand why pulmonary adenocarcinoma had increased in recent years as other forms of lung adenocarcinoma were reduced, whose decline has been associated with a reduction in the number of smokers. They have conducted a meta-analysis of studies already carried out, confirming what has been suspected for some time: there are no health benefits from light cigarettes.
Research data suggest a clear relationship between this filter with small holes and ventilation, and the increase in adenocarcinoma rates over the last twenty years. Therefore – concludes the team of scientists – the U. S. Food and Drug Administration should regulate the use of ventilated filters until banning their use.
Carcinogens and toxic substances
The National Cancer Institute of the United States reports that light cigarettes have been shown to be no safer than regular cigarettes. Smoking them does not reduce the risk of cancer or other diseases. A person who smokes a light cigarette can inhale the same amount of tar, nicotine and toxic chemicals as normal, depending on how you smoke.
As researchers report, ventilation alters tobacco combustion, increases levels of toxic substances, causes smokers to smoke more in order to maintain nicotine levels and creates a false perception of a lower health risk by smoking “light” cigarettes. These substances are inhaled and reach a very deep lung level where adenocarcinomas tend to develop more often.
There are no safe cigarettes. Even if they are referred to as “light” or low tar and nicotine, these cigarettes release a lot of toxic and carcinogenic substances and induce smokers to inhale more, make more and deeper puffs with the illusion of smoking something softer,” adds Dr. Siracusano. “Moreover, those who use these cigarettes could be forced to disregard the number of “lights” smoked because they are wrongly considered less dangerous”.
In addition to nicotine and tar, cigarettes contain thousands of toxic chemicals ranging from carbon monoxide to benzene, arsenic, lead and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. About seventy of these agents are known to be carcinogens. As well as being the main risk factor for lung cancer, cigarette smoking also significantly increases the risk of other cancers such as pancreatic, bladder and head-neck cancer,” concludes Dr. Siracusano.
