Major and Minor Changes in Cigarette Design Over the Past Decade

Amongst Top Brands

Introduction: Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death and disease among both

men and women in the United States. 480,000 individuals and approximately 1 in 5 suffer

tobacco-related deaths each year in the United States. Cigarette smoking has been linked to

multiple types of cancer, cardiovascular disease, respiratory ailments, and infections due to the

presence of toxic and carcinogenic compounds in cigarette smoke. Out of all the compounds that

reside within the tobacco leaf itself, the nitrosamine group is the most carcinogenic due to its

ability to form DNA adducts within the human anatomy. Research seeks to find any major and

minor changes in popular cigarette brands over the past decade and the role they play in health

behavior in regards to cancer.

Methods: Cigarette packs were collected at local pharmacies around Buffalo, NY and were then

placed inside the horizontal humidity conditioner for a minimum of 48 hours at 22 ± 2.0°C and

60 ± 2.0% relative humidity. Physical design features were then measured and data collected.

Statistical analysis was done using SPSS V.21 to compare data from 2006 to 2016 to derive

means, standard deviations, and P-values.

Results:

– Filter density decreased by 9.05123% in USA brands from 2006 to 2016, meaning

that the filter will trap fewer particles.

– Tobacco length decreased by 7.89646% in USA brands from 2006 to 2016,

meaning that length of tobacco filler is shortening.

– Filter length increased by 1.75213% in USA brands from 2006 to 2016, meaning

that cigarette filter length is increasing.

– Rod diameter increased by 6.528102%, meaning that cigarettes are getting thicker

among brands researched.

– Pressure Drop increased by 8.387164%, meaning that cigarettes are harder to

draw from among brands researched.

Conclusions: Change in the design features of the cigarette affect the intake of TNCO as well as

the taste and harshness of smoke. The design of the cigarette is constantly changing in order

to appeal to current smokers, to obtain new smokers, and to meet regulatory standards set

forth by government entities. Governments should consider mandatory disclosure of

cigarette design parameters as a part of comprehensive tobacco product regulations in the

role cigarette design plays in health behavior in regards to cancer health.

Keywords: Tobacco, Cigarette, Filter, Tar, Nicotine