First Published: February 22, 2010
Source: MainStreet
A new layer of color may be added to cigarette packs later this year when stricter federal tobacco labeling laws go into effect.
Instead of using the words “light” and “ultra-light,” tobacco companies will be using familiar color coding to help consumers identify their preferred smokes, according to The New York Times.
For instance, Marlboro Lights will become Marlboro Gold and Marlboro Ultra Lights will be Marlboro Silver, the Times says, using lighter colors to indicate “light” instead of the actual word.
Cigarette makers have been facing criticism for the wording on boxes which implies that “light” and “ultra-light” cigarettes aren’t as unhealthy for smokers as regular cigarettes, even though scientific research has shown this isn’t true.
In fact, “lighter” cigarettes actually register as lighter on smoking machines simply because tiny filter vent holes that are covered by smokers lips or fingers when they’re being smoked are not covered not when they’re being tested by machines, according to the American Cancer Society.
The group also says that, according to the industry’s own research, smokers inhale more deeply when smoking “light” and “ultra-light” cigarettes.