Statement Of The American Cancer Society On Advance Lights Cigarettes

American Cancer Society
Monday, 5 November 2001

Today the American Cancer Society, the nation's leading voluntary health organization, issued the following statement regarding Brown & Williamson's decision to test market "Advance Lights" cigarettes in Indianapolis this month.

"Halloween is over, but the tobacco companies are still playing 'Trick or Treat.'

"Brown & Williamson asserts that 'Advance Lights' poses less of a health risk because of the reduction of one class of cancer-causing agents from among dozens in their product. Further left unsaid is that non-smokers will still be subject to the health risks of secondhand smoke. They also point to a new filter they have developed. But what is really being filtered out is the fact that Brown & Williamson can make these claims without any independent verification. They expect to be taken at their word.

"This product underscores the need for Congress to grant the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) meaningful authority to regulate tobacco manufacturing, sales and marketing. As a national watchdog for public health, the FDA would be able to evaluate scientifically whether new products are actually 'less harmful.' Tobacco companies would be barred from making unsubstantiated, false, or misleading health claims as well as claims that discourage people from quitting. Consumers would be empowered with the knowledge that products purporting to reduce consumer health risks had been analyzed by the same agency that ensures the safety of the food we eat and the medicines we take.

"Without FDA regulation, the tobacco industry is free to mislead the American public about the dangers of smoking cigarettes. For example, extensive research shows that so called 'light' cigarettes provide smokers with false assurances that they are reducing their risks but in fact do not provide any meaningful health benefits over regular cigarettes. FDA regulation would put an end to this deception.

"Tobacco companies can dress up their products any way they like, but the fact is that the best alternative for smokers who want to reduce their risk is to stop smoking."

The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy and service.

For information about cancer, call toll-free anytime 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit the American Cancer Society website.

For more information, or to contact American Cancer Society, see their website at: www.cancer.org