Low-tar cigarettes just as harmful, Hong Kong study finds

dpa German Press Agency Published: Monday April 9, 2007

Hong Kong- Low-tar cigarettes can be just as harmful as
stronger cigarettes, according to a study released Monday by the Hong
Kong government.
Government scientists said they had examined 95 brands of
cigarettes and also studied the smoking habits of the people who
bought them.

They concluded that while some brands contained less nicotine and
tar, smokers often compensated by taking deeper drags and smoking
more frequently, cancelling out the health benefit.

A Department of Health spokesman said the survey showed that
low-tar cigarettes were "not necessarily less harmful and the best
way to protect health is to quit smoking."

"When smokers choose low-tar cigarettes instead of cigarettes in
the middle-tar or high-tar groups, they may take larger and more
frequent puffs or even smoke more cigarettes each day.

"Quitting smoking is the only way to reduce a smoker's risk of
developing heart diseases and cancers," the spokesman said.

Hong Kong banned smoking in all offices, public places, pubs and
restaurants from January 1. The former British colony, with
Singapore, has one of Asia's lowest smoking levels.

© 2006 - dpa German Press Agency

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