Study Says Cigarette Causes Fewer Tumors

Reduced-carcinogen
cigarette, Omni, produced significantly fewer skin tumors in laboratory mice
than the leading national brand in the Dermal Tumor Induction (or “Skin Painting”)
test, according to preliminary results reported by Vector Group Ltd., a holding
company that indirectly owns Liggett Group, Vector Tobacco and a controlling
interest in New Valley Corporation.

The skin painting test was the first to demonstrate the link between cigarette “tar” and cancer and is among the tests currently relied on by government agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to determine the carcinogenic potential of substances in the environment like tobacco smoke, reports Newstream.

The latest test results show that 68 percent of the 40 mice treated with a smoke condensate of the leading national brand developed tumors compared to 20 percent of the 40 Omni smoke condensate treated mice; a 70 percent reduction.


“To date, we have refrained from claiming any health benefit from smoking Vector’s Omni cigarettes. However, it is ultimately our hope to market a product that is represented to be less hazardous than the most commonly smoked cigarettes on the market today,” says Bennett LeBow, chairman and chief executive officer, Vector Group.

Moderator Comment: Assuming the research holds up:


  • How will the results affect the manufacturing of cigarettes?


  • Should retailers give preferential space and shelf
    position to products such as Omni even if there is no sales history to support
    the move?

We understand that abstinence is the only sure way to
avoid smoking related health problems. People are going to smoke, however, so
this would appear to be a move in the right direction. [George
Anderson – Moderator
]

BrainTrust

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