From the Journals: Reduced-nicotine Cigarettes Don’t Make People Smoke, Puff More

August 25, 2014 by

Adults who smoked reduced-nicotine cigarettes did not smoke more intensely to compensate for the lower levels of nicotine, according to a study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.

As a result of the 2009 Tobacco Control Act, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has the authority to reduce nicotine levels in cigarettes. One of the primary barriers to doing so has been a concern that individuals who continue to smoke will be exposed to greater amounts of toxic chemicals as they try to extract more nicotine from cigarettes. The current study suggests that this may not be the case.

Read the full press release, which was covered in the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Daily Mail, and HealthDay.

Cover photo: “A Cigarette” by Haprog_ is licensed under CC BY 2.0