essay light cigarette

"Light" Cigarettes and Cancer Risk

What is a so-called light cigarette.

Tobacco manufacturers have been redesigning cigarettes since the 1950s. Certain redesigned cigarettes with the following features were marketed as “light” cigarettes:

• Cellulose acetate filters (to trap tar).
• Highly porous cigarette paper (to allow toxic chemicals to escape).
• Ventilation holes in the filter tip (to dilute smoke with air).
• Different blends of tobacco.

When analyzed by a smoking machine, the smoke from a so-called light cigarette has a lower yield of tar than the smoke from a regular cigarette. However, a machine cannot predict how much tar a smoker inhales. Also, studies have shown that changes in cigarette design have not lowered the risk of disease caused by cigarettes ( 1 ).

On June 22, 2009, President Barack Obama signed into law the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, which granted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration the authority to regulate tobacco products. One provision of the new law bans tobacco manufacturers from using the terms “light,” “low,” and “mild” in product labeling and advertisements. This provision went into effect on June 22, 2010. However, some tobacco manufacturers are using color-coded packaging (such as gold or silver packaging) on previously marketed products and selling them to consumers who may continue to believe that these cigarettes are not as harmful as other cigarettes ( 2 – 4 ).

Are light cigarettes less hazardous than regular cigarettes?

No. Many smokers chose so-called low-tar, mild, light, or ultralight cigarettes because they thought these cigarettes would expose them to less tar and would be less harmful to their health than regular or full-flavor cigarettes. However, light cigarettes are no safer than regular cigarettes. Tar exposure from a light cigarette can be just as high as that from a regular cigarette if the smoker takes long, deep, or frequent puffs. The bottom line is that light cigarettes do not reduce the health risks of smoking.

Moreover, there is no such thing as a safe cigarette. The only guaranteed way to reduce the risk to your health, as well as the risk to others, is to stop smoking completely.

Because all tobacco products are harmful and cause cancer, the use of these products is strongly discouraged. There is no safe level of tobacco use. People who use any type of tobacco product should quit. For help with quitting, refer to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) fact sheet Where To Get Help When You Decide To Quit Smoking .

Do light cigarettes cause cancer?

Yes. People who smoke any kind of cigarette are at much greater risk of lung cancer than people who do not smoke ( 5 ). Smoking harms nearly every organ of the body and diminishes a person’s overall health.

People who switched to light cigarettes from regular cigarettes are likely to have inhaled the same amount of toxic chemicals, and they remain at high risk of developing smoking-related cancers and other disease ( 1 ). Smoking causes cancers of the lung, esophagus, larynx (voice box), mouth, throat, kidney, bladder, pancreas, stomach, and cervix, as well as acute myeloid leukemia ( 6 ).

Regardless of their age, smokers can substantially reduce their risk of disease, including cancer, by quitting.

What were the tar yield ratings used by the tobacco industry for light cigarettes?

Although no Federal agency formally defined the range of tar yield for light or ultralight cigarettes, the tobacco industry used the ranges shown in the table below ( 5 , 7 ).

These ratings were not an accurate indicator of how much tar a smoker might have been exposed to, because people do not smoke cigarettes the same way the machines do and no two people smoke the same way.

Ultralight and light cigarettes are no safer than full-flavor cigarettes. There is no such thing as a safe cigarette ( 1 ).

Are machine-measured tar yields misleading?

Yes. The ratings cannot be used to predict how much tar a smoker will actually get because the way the machine smokes a cigarette is not the way a person smokes a cigarette. A rating of 7 milligrams does not mean that you will get only 7 milligrams of tar. You can get just as much tar from a light cigarette as from a full-flavor cigarette. It all depends on how you smoke. Taking deeper, longer, and more frequent puffs will lead to greater tar exposure. Also, a smoker’s lips or fingers may block the air ventilation holes in the filter, leading to greater tar exposure ( 7 ).

Why would someone smoking a light cigarette take bigger puffs than with a regular cigarette?

Cigarette features that reduce the yield of machine-measured tar also reduce the yield of nicotine . Because smokers crave nicotine, they may inhale more deeply; take larger, more rapid, or more frequent puffs; or smoke extra cigarettes each day to get enough nicotine to satisfy their craving. As a result, smokers end up inhaling more tar, nicotine, and other harmful chemicals than the machine-based numbers suggest ( 1 ).

Tobacco industry documents show that companies were aware that smokers of light cigarettes compensated by taking bigger puffs. Industry documents also show that the companies were aware of the difference between machine-measured yields of tar and nicotine and what the smoker actually inhaled ( 8 ).

How can I get help to quit smoking?

There are many groups that can help smokers quit:

• Go online to Smokefree.gov ( http://www.smokefree.gov ), a webcreated by NCI’s Tobacco Control Research Branch, and use the Step-by-Step Quit Guide.
• Call NCI’s Smoking Quitline at 1–877–44U–QUIT ( 1–877–448–7848 ) for individualized counseling, printed information, and referrals to other sources.
• Refer to the NCI fact sheet Where To Get Help When You Decide To Quit Smoking .

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Essay on Light Cigarettes

Table of Contents

The Complex Reality of Light Cigarettes

Introduction.

In the pursuit of healthier alternatives to traditional cigarettes, light cigarettes emerged as a seemingly promising option. Marketed as a “healthier” and “safer” choice, these cigarettes were introduced to address concerns about the health risks associated with smoking. However, the term “light cigarette” can be misleading. This essay delves into the history, marketing strategies, and health implications of light cigarettes, shedding light on their complex reality.

The Birth of Light Cigarettes

Light cigarettes, also known as low-tar and low-nicotine cigarettes, first appeared in the mid-20th century in response to mounting evidence of the harmful health effects of smoking. Manufacturers claimed that these cigarettes provided a milder, less harmful smoking experience, primarily by reducing the levels of tar, nicotine, and other harmful chemicals in the smoke.

Marketing Strategies

• Misleading Labels: Light cigarettes were often labeled as having lower tar and nicotine content, creating an illusion of reduced health risks. Smokers believed they were making a healthier choice, which boosted sales.
• Filter Technology: Manufacturers introduced filters, which were perceived as reducing exposure to harmful substances. However, many studies have shown that filters do not significantly reduce health risks, as smokers compensate by inhaling more deeply or smoking more cigarettes.
• Flavor and Sensation: Light cigarettes often used additives to mimic the taste and sensation of regular cigarettes, making them more appealing to consumers who were trying to quit or reduce their smoking.

Health Implications

• False Perception of Safety: One of the most significant drawbacks of light cigarettes is that they foster a false sense of safety. Smokers tend to believe that by choosing light cigarettes, they are avoiding the health risks associated with regular cigarettes. This misconception can lead to reduced motivation to quit or cut down on smoking.
• Compensation Behavior: Smokers of light cigarettes tend to engage in compensation behavior, such as inhaling more deeply or smoking more cigarettes, to maintain their desired level of nicotine intake. As a result, the health benefits of smoking light cigarettes are often negated.
• Health Risks Persist: Research has shown that light cigarettes are not significantly less harmful than regular cigarettes. Smokers of light cigarettes can still develop various smoking-related diseases, including lung cancer , heart disease, and respiratory disorders.

Regulations and Warnings

In response to the deceptive marketing of light cigarettes and their health implications, governments and health organizations have implemented regulations and warnings. These measures include:

• Labeling: Cigarette packaging is required to include warnings about the health risks of smoking, regardless of whether the cigarettes are marketed as light or regular.
• Tar and Nicotine Reporting: Some countries mandate that manufacturers report tar and nicotine levels in cigarettes, allowing consumers to make more informed choices.
• Advertising Restrictions: Regulations limit the use of terms like “light” and “mild” in cigarette advertising, as they can be misleading.

The concept of light cigarettes emerged as a well-intentioned response to concerns about the health risks of smoking. However, the reality is far more complex. Light cigarettes have not proven to be a safer alternative to regular cigarettes, as they often lead to false perceptions of safety and compensation behaviors. As public awareness grows, and regulatory measures become more stringent, it is essential for individuals to understand the risks associated with smoking, irrespective of the type of cigarette they choose. Ultimately, the most effective way to reduce health risks related to smoking is to quit altogether or seek healthier alternatives, rather than relying on the misleading promise of light cigarettes.

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The Curious Case of the Light Cigarette

What happens when consumers take things for granted?

Stine Grodal, assistant professor of strategy and innovation at BU’s Questrom School of Business, studied the evolution of light cigarettes. Photo by Michael D. Spencer

Barbara Moran

In the mid-1960s, a new type of cigarette appeared in America. Manufacturers called them “lights,” and advertised that more sophisticated filters, highly porous paper, and new tobacco blends reduced the tar and nicotine that smokers inhaled. The “lights” were the tobacco companies’ answer to public concern about the link between smoking and lung cancer. They pitched their new product to health-conscious smokers and printed test results—total milligrams of tar and nicotine—right on the pack. The light cigarettes were a hit, with sales surpassing regular cigarettes in the early 1980s.

But a funny thing happened over those decades. While smokers may have craved a healthier cigarette, they also craved full flavor and a strong nicotine “kick,” says Stine Grodal , an assistant professor of strategy and innovation at Boston University’s Questrom School of Business , who published an empirical study of light cigarettes in the journal American Sociological Review in February 2015. Over time, she says, many consumers stopped scrutinizing the tiny print on the packages, assuming that light cigarettes were healthier than “full” cigarettes and choosing the brand with the best flavor and kick. To compete for customers, manufacturers slowly pushed the amount of tar and nicotine in light cigarettes upward, with average tar increasing seven percent between 1964 and 1993, and nicotine increasing 74 percent. How did the tobacco industry get away with it? The answer, says Grodal, lies in a curious sociological phenomenon called “taken-for-grantedness.”

Taken-for-grantedness is just what it sounds like: the idea that, over time, many ideas go from outrageous to ordinary. When scientists first began to patent genetically modified organisms, for example, the public reacted with concern and dismay. “Then, over time, patenting just became a thing that you did if you were a scientist,” she says. “If you wanted to have a career in science, you would both publish and patent. It became a part of the way you showed your status, and it was not contested at all. It became taken for granted.”

While taken-for-grantedness is a common area of research in institutional theory—the study of how institutions, concepts, and meaning evolve over time—scientists haven’t used it much to examine business strategy. Grodal and her co-author, Greta Hsu of the University of California, Davis, decided to try that tactic after Grodal read Allan Brandt’s book The Cigarette Century and learned about the enormous data available on the cigarette industry. “It’s very difficult to know what goes on inside businesses because the documents are secret,” she says. “But here was a case in which a lot of the internal documents had been revealed through the lawsuits, so we could have insight on how businesses function that we normally don’t have.”

To make sense of the industry documents, Grodal and Hsu had to first understand when American consumers started assuming that light cigarettes were healthier than regular cigarettes and stopped squinting at the fine print on the packs. To do this, they looked for references to light cigarettes in four major media outlets: the New York Times , Los Angeles Times , the Washington Post , and the Wall Street Journal . Over time, as the public became more familiar with light cigarettes, journalists described the cigarettes’ features less often and less explicitly. Grodal says that this declining description serves as a good proxy for taken-for-grantedness, because it reflects the public’s growing understanding and acceptance of light cigarettes. She found that public attention to the light cigarettes’ nicotine content decreased quickly but people paid closer attention to “tar”—an imprecise mixture of particles and chemicals, some of which were carcinogenic.

“People’s attention was very much on tar,” she says. “Tar was the bad thing, they thought. However, the cigarette producers were more concerned about nicotine, because they knew people smoked because of nicotine.”

According to internal documents unearthed by Grodal and Hsu, the cigarette companies recognized these consumer trends and used them to their advantage, raising nicotine levels in their light cigarettes to give them more kick and, to a much lesser extent, raising levels of tar to give them more flavor. Because the “light” label wasn’t regulated, they got away with it.

“They could create whatever and call it ‘light,’” says Grodal. “It was all based on ‘Does the consumer accept this as ‘light?’ There was a blurring of that boundary. Some ‘full’ cigarettes had lower tar and nicotine than some that were labeled ‘light.’” This is no longer the case: in 2010, a law went into effect banning tobacco manufacturers from labeling cigarettes as “light,” “low,” or “mild.”

What does taken-for-grantedness mean for consumers today? While some product labels, like “very low sodium” or “cholesterol-free” are tightly regulated by the FDA , other terms and labels like “healthy” or “natural” are more vague. The take-home message, says Grodal, is to “put on your skeptical hat sometimes, not just with the shopping cart but also in other decisions.”

“We make a lot of choices based on people’s claims, whether it’s a service or a product,” she says. “Sometimes it just pays to be a little more aware, to stop and think, ‘what do they mean when they say that?’”

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Do 'Light' Cigarettes Deliver Less Nicotine To The Brain Than Regular Cigarettes?

For decades now, cigarette makers have marketed so-called light cigarettes — which contain less nicotine than regular smokes — with the implication that they are less harmful to smokers' health. A new UCLA study shows, however, that they deliver nearly as much nicotine to the brain.

Reporting in the current online edition of the International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology, UCLA psychiatry professor Dr. Arthur L. Brody and colleagues found that low-nicotine cigarettes act similarly to regular cigarettes, occupying a significant percentage of the brain's nicotine receptors.

Light cigarettes have nicotine levels of 0.6 to 1 milligrams, while regular cigarettes contain between 1.2 and 1.4 milligrams.

The researchers also looked at de-nicotinized cigarettes, which contain only a trace amount of nicotine (0.05 milligrams) and are currently being tested as an adjunct to standard smoking-cessation treatments. They found that even that low a nicotine level is enough to occupy a sizeable percentage of receptors.

"The two take-home messages are that very little nicotine is needed to occupy a substantial portion of brain nicotine receptors," Brody said, "and cigarettes with less nicotine than regular cigarettes, such as 'light' cigarettes, still occupy most brain nicotine receptors. Thus, low-nicotine cigarettes function almost the same as regular cigarettes in terms of brain nicotine-receptor occupancy.

"It also showed us that de-nicotinized cigarettes still deliver a considerable amount of nicotine to the brain. Researchers, clinicians and smokers themselves should consider that fact when trying to quit."

In the brain, nicotine binds to specific molecules on nerve cells called nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, or nAChRs. When nerve cells communicate, nerve impulses jump chemically across gaps between cells called synapses by means of neurotransmitters. The neurotransmitters then bind to the receptor sites on nerve cells — in the case acetylcholine resulting in the release of a pleasure-inducing chemical called dopamine. Nicotine mimics acetylcholine, but it lasts longer, releasing more dopamine.

"It can cause specific neurons to communicate and thus increases dopamine for an extended period of time," Brody said. "Most scientists believe that's one key reason why nicotine is so addictive."

In an earlier study, researchers determined that smoking a regular, non-light cigarette resulted in the occupancy of 88 percent of these nicotine receptors. However, that study did not determine whether inhaling nicotine or any of the thousands of other chemical found in cigarette smoke resulted in this receptor occupancy. The central goal of the present study was to determine if factors associated with smoking — other than nicotine — resulted in nAChR occupancy.

The authors reasoned that if nicotine is solely responsible for receptor occupancy, then smoking a de-nicotinized cigarette or a low-nicotine cigarette would result in the occupancy of roughly 23 percent and 78 percent of nicotine receptors, respectively, based on the cigarettes' nicotine content.

"That would still be substantial," Brody said.

Fifteen smokers participated in the study. Each was given positron emission tomography (PET) scans, a brain-imaging technique that uses minute amounts of radiation-emitting substances to tag specific molecules. In this case, the tracer was designed to bind to the nicotine receptors in the brain.

The researchers could then measure what percentage of the tracer was displaced by nicotine when the research subjects smoked. In total, 24 PET scans were taken of participants' brains before and after three different conditions: not smoking, smoking a de-nicotinized cigarette and smoking a low-nicotine cigarette.

The PET data showed that smoking a de-nicotinized cigarette and a low-nicotine cigarette occupied 26 percent and 79 percent of the receptors, respectively, which was very close to what the researchers had originally estimated.

"Given the consistency of findings between our previous study with regular cigarettes and the present study — that showed us that inhaling nicotine during smoking is solely responsible for occupancy of brain nicotine receptors," Brody said.

In addition to Brody, other authors of the study were Mark A. Mandelkern, Matthew R. Costello, Anna L. Abrams, David Scheibal, Judah Farahi, Edythe D. London, Richard E. Olmstead, Jed E. Rose and Alexey G. Mukhin. The researchers report no conflicts of interest. Rose, from the Duke University School of Medicine, has received research support for a study unrelated to the present paper from Vector Tobacco Inc., the manufacturer of Quest cigarettes.

The research was supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the Veterans Administration, the Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program, the National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression, and the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

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Essay On Marlboro Light Cigarettes

Type of paper: Essay

Topic: Cigarettes , Cigarette , Marlboro , Packaging , Smokers , Light , Tobacco , Design

Published: 03/30/2023

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A cigarette is a small roll of tiny grounded tobacco leaves rolled in a thin piece of paper for the purpose of smoking. Tobacco as the main ingredient in a cigarette is combined with additional flavors and chemicals which keep the cigarette burning. There exist over 4000 different chemicals in a cigarette most of which have the potential to cause health problems in human beings as researched. This challenge, however, has never prevented smokers from withdrawing, and statistic still shows a significant increase in the number of smokers all over the world annually (Coffa et al. 64-73). Philip Morris was the first to invent Marlboro light cigarettes in the United States which are now the most popular brand of cigarette all over the world. The packaging design, quality of the content and the affordable price of the cigarette has made it the most common among smokers. The Marlboro light cigarette exists in a cylindrical shape with different sizes to incorporate all sexes with the male form appearing rugged and masculine while the females shape appears slim. The cigarette sizes range from the regular king size roll to the super thin rolls with varying length and diameter with ventilated filters. Each packaging contains ten rolls of cigarettes with tar and nicotine being the main components of the smoke with a content of o.6mg and 6mg respectively. The packaging of this Marlboro cigarette is the most attractive package ever made which is a rectangular box in shape. The most distinctive and exciting aspect of it is its color (Thrasher, Hammond and Arillo-Santillan 342-343). Marlboro light cigarettes have a golden package design that has played a significant role in achieving high sales volumes. Cigarette package design is a very critical communication tool for cigarette brands, more relevant in an advertising media. Under normal circumstances, the packaging is meant to contain and protect the product simply. However, with the rising competition, packaging has undergone modifications to attract attention and describe the product as a strategy for making sales (Gowadia, Oldham and Dunn-Rankin 435-446). This strategy is the same case for the Marlboro cigarettes. The golden colour used is not just out of coincidence. The colour gold is a resemblance of wealthy and happy life. This cigarettes pack color is unisex so that it can satisfy both men and women’s taste and visual perception. This packaging design is so beautiful such that women can confidently carry them in their clutch bags, an activity that is so fashionable today. It is not only the packaging design that attracts. The quality of the content in the cigarette is just awesome! The feeling it has on the hands is just great. It is smooth and of good size that comfortably allows one to fit in between the fingers without feeling uneasy. It also has slowly light blended tobacco and super smooth taste that doesn’t feel like it is burning the lungs when smoking it (Gowadia, Oldham and Dunn-Rankin 435-446). The cigarettes taste great and have a sweet smell with no chemical taste at all. Additionally, the smoke lasts longer, approximately 5-6 minutes giving one the desired satisfaction. They have a moderate strength which is especially useful for newer smokers, not too loud and not too weak thus giving a good aftertaste. In conclusion, questions, however, have emerged concerning the descriptions on the Marlboro light cigarettes. Health issues are arising concerning the risks the smokers of this cigarette smoke based on the fact that these cigarettes contain a little amount of tar and additional filtered vents. The questions the users were asked concerning the hazards effect of the low- tar in the cigarettes and the filters showed that the smokers were uninformed of the possible health risks they were facing for using low-tar content cigarettes.

Thrasher, J. F., D. Hammond, and E. Arillo-Santillan. "The Alchemy of Marlboro: Transforming 'Light' Into 'Gold' In Mexico". Tobacco Control 19.4 (2010): 342-343. Gowadia, Neha, Michael J. Oldham, and Derek Dunn-Rankin. "Particle Size Distribution of Nicotine In Mainstream Smoke From 2R4F, Marlboro Medium, And Quest1 Cigarettes Under Different Puffing Regimens". Inhalation Toxicology 21.5 (2009): 435-446. Coffa, Bonnie G. et al. "Chemical, Physical, And In Vitro Characterization Of Research Cigarettes Containing Denicotinized Tobacco". Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology 79 (2016): 64-73.

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Stanford Research into the Impact of Tobacco Advertising

Collection: Low Tar

Claims of low ‘tar,’ less ‘tar,’ or even lowest ‘tar’ have been circulating in cigarette advertisements for decades. This theme features ads which revolve around deceptive low tar claims which try to out-do each other, some going as far as to claim less than 1 mg of tar per cigarette. By ‘tar,’ tobacco companies are referring to the brown, sticky accumulation of chemicals amassed when tobacco is burned. This residue is considered to be one of the most damaging components of smoking, as it contains a multitude of identified carcinogens and causes harmful build-up in the lungs. It is therefore no surprise that, early on, tobacco companies began to make their cigarettes appear less harmful by advertising reduced tar levels. Low tar cigarettes are intended to keep concerned smokers from quitting by providing these smokers with what appears to be a healthy alternative. Unfortunately, lower tar ratings have no bearing on the safety of the brand in question. As internal tobacco documents have revealed, tobacco companies have been fully knowledgeable that lower tar cigarettes were not actually safer or healthier.

It was not until quite recently that any action was taken in the United States to address the deceptive and dangerous mislabeling. However, when the FDA was granted regulatory authority over tobacco products in 2009, these concerns came to the forefront of regulation. As of July 2010, the words “mild,” “low,” or “light” are not to be used on tobacco products, as these words cause consumers to underestimate their health risks. This new regulation means that brands previously marketed as “light” or “low-tar” can no longer include these words on their packaging or advertising.

Unsurprisingly, tobacco manufacturers have figured out a creative way to escape this regulation. Now, they rely on different colored packages to indicate whether a certain product is light, ultra-light, or full-flavor. The colors vary slightly among brands, but generally adhere to the following standards: red indicates regular; dark green indicates menthol; light green, blue, or gold indicate previously “light” cigarettes; and silver or orange indicate previously “ultra light” cigarettes. Camel, for example, replaced their “Camel Lights” product with “Camel Blue.” Philip Morris stuck with the idea that lighter shades indicate a “lighter” cigarette, and thus Marlboro Lights became Marlboro Gold, and Marlboro Ultra-Lights became Marlboro Silver. Likewise, R.J. Reynolds’ Salem Ultra-Lights became “Salem Silver Box.” The FDA has regulatory authority to demand that tobacco companies discontinue their color branding techniques in the future.

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Summary of the essay Light My Lucky

In the essay ‘ Lucky Strike’ cigarette ad points out how clever the ad is and how important it is for consumers to earn how to make critical scrutiny of ads or any text made for promotional purposes.

Summary of the essay Light My Lucky by R . Scholes, N. R. Comley, G. L. Ulmer

In this essay, an advertisement for a cigarette, 'Lucky Strike' , and its importance to the users have been vividly analyzed and researched. In the advertisement of the cigarette, there is an advertisement, "Light My Lucky" and down it, there is a surgeon warning that it is harmful to pregnant.

Similarly, in the advertisement, there is a beautiful girl whose left hand is on the head with a Lucky Strike cigarette. Writers especially analyze the word "light" and surgeon warning. The word, "Light" has two meanings (Pun) - (a) is related to fire (b) not weight. If we take the word, light as fire, it is metaphorically suggesting sex.

Similarly, if we think of the meaning of the light with no weight, the light my lucky means the cigarette is very useful to have because it indirectly hints that it has less nicotine.

Thus, an advertisement associated with the cigarette is beauty, health, and sexual pleasure. Metonyms mean part representing the whole. If we take the meaning of light associated with burning, it indicates fire.

The surgeon's warning is so tricky. It only prohibits taking the Lucky Strike cigarette for pregnant women. Such prohibition hints to others that smoking "Lucky Strike" cigarette is quite healthy. In this way, advertisers use the word to brainwash the common people. Their main aim is to make tricky advertisements to sell their product in large numbers.

So, the Lucky Strike cigarette is a well-made advertisement to manipulate the cigarette users' minds.

Frequently asked question from the essay ‘Light My Lucky’

1. Describe the advertisement ‘Light My Lucky’.

Ans : An advertisement (often shortened to advert or ad) is the promotion of a product, brand, or service to a viewership to attract interest, engagement, and sales. Advertisements come in many forms, from copy to interactive video, and have evolved to become a crucial feature of the app marketplace.

2. The writers describe an advertisement for Lucky Strike Light cigarettes. How does the description bring the image of the ad to your mind?

Ans : An advertisement for 'Lucky Strike Light' cigarette gives many images to our minds. If we take the meaning of light association to fire, then we get the image of being sexual. If we take its meaning as not weight, then we make the image of being healthy in comparison to having other branded cigarettes.

3. What are the metonymic associations?

Ans : Metonymy association of the cigarette advertisement is mainly the use of punning of word ' light. 'Light means not weight and related to fire. If we take both meanings once, light means beauty, healthy, and fire.

4. "Light my fire"-in what way is it a metaphor?

Ans : "Light my fire" is a metaphor because it stands to make sexual intercourse. Fire in many film and song have an erotic connection. Here fire stands for sex. So, light my fire means to start to have sexual intercourse.

5. Why is it important to read ads critically?

Ans : Advertisement is made to sell a product but not to give the actual reality of the product. Advertisement is neither true nor false. Its main aim is to sell the product. If we do not use our conscience to buy the product, we will be cheated. So, it is important to read advertisements critically. If we trust the word of the cigarette advertisement, then start having, we will get a serious problem. So, we need to judge the product rather following the advertisement blindly.

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Marlboro Double Mix cigarettes. Original factory sealed. Manufactured by Philip Morris International. Filter Cigarettes in flip Top box. Tar 5mg, Nic. 0.4mg. There are four variants of taste: You can press two buttons, then there will be a taste of the menthol + fruit. You can only press one menthol button. It turned out ordinary cigarettes with menthol. You can press one button-fruit (purple), You can not press any button, then there will be ordinary cigarettes.

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Arguments Against E Cigarettes

Adam Abouzied Mrs. Piegaro English II Honors March 8th, 2024. Advertising E-Cigarettes According to Truth Initiative, in 2020, 82.9% of youth e-cigarette users used flavored e-cigarettes, including 84.7% of high school users (2.53 million) and 73.9% of middle school users (400,000). What this claim reveals is that e-cigarettes are directed towards those of a younger age. E-cigarettes, shortened as electronic cigarettes, are battery-powered devices. Users who inhale the vapor from e-cigarettes are exposed to harmful materials such as nicotine, flavorings, and various chemicals. Although they are occasionally seen as an alternative to traditional tobacco cigarettes, they still pose harmful effects such as nicotine addiction, vast respiratory …show more content…

The reason for the wide exposure of e-cigarettes is due to the marketing and advertising of the substance. In the three articles provided, "E-cigarette Ads and Youth by CDC", "4 Marketing Tactics E-cigarette Companies Use to Target Youth by The TRUTH Initiative", and "FTC Investigates S.F. Based on E-Cigarette Maker Juul Over Ads Targeting Teens by CBS News", the authors of the articles provide arguments against E-cigarettes in a negative mannerism. Demonstrating that the advertising of E-Cigarettes may be directed towards the youth, such as teenagers ranging from the ages 13-18. E-cigarette companies may often utilize social media platforms to reach their target audience. Article #1: "E-cigarette Ads and Youth by The CDC", discusses the nature of these nicotine companies spreading ads to the youth by creating engaging and interactive content. With these, companies can establish a strong connection on platforms usually mainstreamed by younger people. In addition, the use of influencers may also be a significant leading factor among adolescents. This may be a common strategy created to promote e-cigarettes indirectly. Influencers often portray …show more content…

In Article #2: "4 Marketing Tactics e-cigarette Companies Use to Target Youth by The TRUTH Initiative", one of the most common tactics is using unique flavors. Flavors such as bubble gum, cotton candy, and gummy bears are very vibrant flavors, making them more appealing to children and adolescents. Furthermore, colorful packaging designs contribute to the product's appeal among younger demographics. The use of playful graphics and eye-catching designs can easily capture the attention of children, potentially leading to curiosity and experimentation with e-cigarettes. An example from the article to support this claim is, "E-cigarette companies capitalize on this gap in regulation by offering kid-friendly flavors, such as cotton candy and gummi bear, and packaging e-liquids to look like common food items." What this evidence demonstrates is that the use of more vibrant and kid-friendly packaging targets younger consumers who seem to be more engaged and intrigued by these tobacco products. Another piece of evidence within the text is, "A study that included middle and high school students found that 43 percent of young people who ever used e-cigarettes tried them because of appealing flavors." This demonstrates the concept of youth trying e-cigarettes due to the appetizing and appealing flavors being created by these nicotine

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Lawsuit seeks to force ban on menthol cigarettes after months of delays by Biden administration

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Anti-smoking groups sued the U.S. government Tuesday over a long-awaited ban on menthol cigarettes , which has been idling at the White House for months .

The lawsuit is the latest effort to force the government to ban menthols, which are disproportionately used by Black smokers and young people. It comes amid growing concerns from advocates that the federal plan could be derailed by election-year politics.

Health officials under President Joe Biden initially targeted last August to publish the rule eliminating the minty flavor. Late last year, White House officials said they would take until March to review the rule. Three nonprofit groups, including Action on Smoking and Health, filed their lawsuit in a federal court in California after the March deadline passed.

“Because of defendants’ inaction, tobacco companies have continued to use menthol cigarettes to target youth, women, and the Black community — all to the detriment of public health,” the groups state in their complaint.

A spokesperson for the White House declined to comment on the lawsuit Tuesday.

The Food and Drug Administration has spent years developing the plan to eliminate menthol, estimating it could prevent 300,000 to 650,000 smoking deaths over several decades. Most of those preventable deaths would be among Black Americans.

Like all major federal regulations, the plan must get final approval from the White House.

Previous FDA efforts on menthol have been scuttled by tobacco industry pushback or competing political priorities across several administrations . The latest delay comes as Democrats voice worries about Biden’s prospects in a rematch against former President Donald Trump.

White House officials have held dozens of meetings with groups opposing the menthol ban, including civil rights advocates, business owners and law enforcement officials. Some suggested a rule targeting menthols could suppress Biden’s turnout among Black voters. In almost all cases, groups opposing the ban receive financial support from tobacco companies.

In recent months, supporters of the plan have tried to assure the White House that banning menthol will not hurt Biden’s re-election chances.

“If Black lives truly matter, then we must end the sale of menthol cigarettes and do it now,” said Dr. Carol McGruder, of the African American Tobacco Control Leadership, in a statement. McGruder’s group is among those suing the FDA and its parent agency, the Department of Health and Human Services.

A lawyer who helped file the lawsuit said the government will have about two months to respond.

A 2020 lawsuit by the same groups jump-started FDA’s work on menthol, alleging that the agency had “unreasonably delayed” action against the flavor.

Menthol is the only cigarette flavor that was not banned under the 2009 law that gave the FDA authority over tobacco products, an exemption negotiated by industry lobbyists. The act did, though, instruct the agency to continue to weigh whether to ban menthol.

The flavor’s persistence has infuriated anti-smoking advocates, who point to research that menthol’s numbing effect masks the harshness of smoking, making it easier to start and harder to quit.

More than 11% of U.S. adults smoke, with rates roughly even between white and Black populations. About 80% of Black smokers — and most teenagers who smoke — use menthol.

Associated Press writer Zeke Miller contributed to this story

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

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Bacteria That Cause Meningitis Are Spreading Again, C.D.C. Warns

By Roni Caryn Rabin

Federal officials are warning health care providers to be on the lookout for invasive meningococcal disease, a rare but potentially deadly illness that has increased in prevalence in recent years and requires prompt treatment with antibiotics to prevent long-term disability or death.

By the Numbers: A rising fatality rate.

The illness is caused by infection with a bacterium called Neisseria meningitidis. Last year, 422 cases of invasive meningococcal disease were reported in the United States, the highest number since 2014, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

But as of Monday, 143 cases have been reported to the C.D.C. so far this year, 62 more than the number of cases reported last year during the same period.

The illness is extremely dangerous. Even with appropriate treatment, 10 to 15 percent of patients who develop meningococcal disease will die. Many recent cases were caused by an unusual strain of N. meningitidis called ST-1466. This strain caused 17 deaths among 94 patients whose outcomes are known, a fatality rate of 18 percent.

Survivors of meningococcal disease may be left with long-term disability, deafness, amputations or brain damage.

The Mystery: What’s causing the outbreaks?

A majority of people affected in the recent outbreaks were Black people and adults ages 30 to 60.

Others who are susceptible to the infection include people living with H.I.V., who account for 15 percent of patients; individuals who have had their spleens removed; people with sickle cell disease; and patients with certain rare immune conditions.

A meningitis vaccine that protects against four of six N. meningitidis types — including group Y, which includes ST-1466 — is recommended for adolescents as well as those with medical conditions like H.I.V. Most older adults have not received the vaccine.

In Virginia, which has had 35 cases of meningococcal disease and six deaths since the summer of 2022, public health officials have not found an epidemiologic link that explains the outbreak, said Dr. Laurie Forlano, the state’s epidemiologist.

“We always try to find that golden ticket of common risk factors,” Dr. Forlano said. “Were they all at one party together, or at one family event? Were they all at a certain facility? Are there social networks they share? That’s just not the case here.”

The illness is not spread through casual contact, but through activities that involve exposure to saliva or respiratory or throat secretions — kissing, for example, or sharing food and drinks or cigarettes.

A Ticking Clock: Treatment must happen quickly.

The infection can cause meningitis, an inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. Typical symptoms include fever, headaches, stiff neck, vomiting, light sensitivity and altered mental status.

The bacteria can also invade the bloodstream, a complication called sepsis, which appears to be the more common consequence with the current serogroup Y cases. Symptoms include fever and chills, fatigue, vomiting, cold hands and feet, severe aches and pains, diarrhea, rapid breathing and, in later stages, a dark purple rash.

Symptoms may intensify rapidly and become life-threatening in a matter of hours. Antibiotics must be administered promptly.

“With meningococcal disease, people’s thoughts go to meningitis, which is a very scary condition,” Dr. Forlano said. “But the point we’re trying to make to the clinical community is that these cases are presenting differently to what we’re used to seeing. So, hey, think about this.”

Despite the risk, however, she emphasized that the illness remains rare. “The threat to the general public is low,” she said.