‘Raising Kids Who Don’t Smoke’ is a series of brochures created and distributed by ‘Youth Smoking Prevention,’ an organization formed by Philip Morris USA. Tip Sheet No. 4 is entitled ‘Preventing youth tobacco use.’ Like many anti-tobacco pamphlets, this tip-sheet is misleading when it comes to (premium) cigars.

The purpose of this paper is not to make claims about the healthful effects of cigar smoking. What will be shown is that this pamphlet makes unsubstantiated claims about cigars.

Lawrence Kutner, Ph.D. authored this tip-sheet. The main idea put forward in this pamphlet is that all tobacco products are equally dangerous and that parents should inform their children of the above. It also emphasizes that many teens are using tobacco products, not limited to cigarettes.

The claim that teens are using many types of tobacco is based on scientific research and is not being disputed herein.

Following the claim that “data show that many teens experiment with several of these,” is a misleading paragraph.

“This means that it’s not enough simply to talk to your children about the dangers of smoking cigarettes. You should include all other tobacco products as well. Make sure that your kids don’t think that they are safer, less addictive or easier to quit than cigarettes. These forms of tobacco also contain nicotine and have serious health effects such as cancer and cardiovascular disease.”

Two sentences in this paragraph are misleading or outright false. The statement that other forms of tobacco are not “safer, less addictive or easier to quit than cigarettes” is not supported by any scientific research as relates to cigars. In fact, there is evidence that cigars are less risky, less addictive and easier to quit than cigarettes.

The tip-sheet is footnoted and provides information about bidis, kreteks, and chewing tobacco but provides no information about cigars. Misleading statements of this type should not be made by a medical doctor. Such activity is irresponsible and unscientific. If no evidence exists to support such a claim, cigars should be removed from the list on this pamphlet.

The second dubious statement is that “These forms of tobacco…have serious health effects such as cancer and cardiovascular disease.” There is some risk of contracting such maladies through cigars. There is not a guarantee of serious negative health effects. Describing a slightly increased risk as a surety is irresponsible and unscientific. Again, no scientific studies were cited which support these claims as relate to cigars.

Conclusion: Cigars were haphazardly included in this pamphlet with no scientific research. Cigars should be removed from this tip-sheet. A more specific and nuanced discussion of this topic is required of health professionals advising the public.

This pamphlet was obtained at a Washington DC gas station on 27 August, 2008. The website for the Youth Smoking Prevention organization is www.philipmorrisusa.com. 

www.cigarresearch.com 28-August-2008

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