Light and Menthol Cigarettes Facts

Here are some Light and Menthol Cigarettes facts that you should be aware of.

Smokers believe that light cigarettes are not as harmful as "regular" or "full-flavor" cigarettes thus they choose "low-tar," "mild," or "light" cigarettes because they think they are less harmful. More women than men smoke these type of cigarettes, mainly due to advertising targeted at women but they are not any better than the regular ones.

But you may argue that the light and menthol cigarettes feels smoother and lighter on the throat and chest - so lights must be healthier than regulars, right? Wrong. Fewer than 10 percent of smokers are aware that 1 light cigarette yields the same amount of tar as one regular cigarette.

Light cigarettes deliver the same amount of tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide to smokers as "regular" and "full flavor" cigarettes. Many people who switch to low-tar or light cigarettes from regular cigarettes "compensate" for the lower level of nicotine by inhaling harder, taking larger and more frequent puffs or by increasing the number of cigarettes smoked per day.

The facts about "light" cigarettes are that they do not reduce the health risks of smoking. The only way to reduce your risk, and the risk to others around you, is to quit smoking completely.

How about menthol cigarettes? In a disputed study done by Harvard researchers, strongly denied by a spokesman of a tobacco industry. The reports say that cigarette manufactures are regulating level of menthol in cigarettes to attract young smokers and keep older ones hooked.

According to some experts, they believe the regulated level of menthol in cigarettes makes smoking easier to tolerate for young smokers and also increase the addictiveness to nicotine. Some evidence suggests that those who smoke menthol cigarettes have a harder time quitting and some research suggests they may have a higher rate of relapse once they try to quit.

So you can see, light and menthol cigarettes are not any better than regular and studies have shown 50% of "light" cigarette smokers are less likely to quit. Smokers have been led by the myth that light cigarettes are less harmful than regular cigarettes thus giving them a false sense of security.

Wilson is an ex-smoker, here to share his views on methods to quit smoking and help those trying or thinking to kick the addiction. It's tough to quit smoking but it can be done. It's never too late to quit smoking, don't give up and the key to your success is you.

By Wilson Chia