Ian Bubenik, Quit Coach, Service Delivery:
As of yesterday, new FDA guidelines state that cigarettes may no longer be branded as light, mild, or low. However, recent changes in product packaging show that tobacco companies will continue to try and trick smokers by color-coding packs of cigarettes, reaching out to people who will associate colors with the packs they used to purchase - people who believe “light” cigarettes are actually healthier to smoke than regular cigarettes.
A 2008 UCLA study found that "light" cigarettes deliver nearly as much nicotine to the body as other kinds. They also likely deliver it to the brain just as quickly. In addition, the 4,000 chemicals that are in regular cigarettes are in light cigarettes – whether they are blatantly packaged as such, or merely hinted at with color.
In other words, switching brands or colors won't do nearly as much good for your health as quitting completely. It's important to recognize how the tobacco industry may try to influence the thought process of a smoker.
If you are a smoker, have you had any of these thoughts recently?
- It's okay to smoke because I'm only smoking light cigarettes.
- It's okay to have just one cigarette.
- I need to reward myself for my day. I'll have a cigarette.
We're here to help smokers quit when they're ready to reframe those thoughts and give quitting a try. If you’re ready, feel free to call a Quit Coach at 1-800-QUIT-NOW or visit www.quitnow.net.