Researchers: 'We've Created Healthier Cigarette'

A study at Cornell University is likely to stir controversy in anti-smoking circles. Researchers at the Ivy League university say they have produced a cigarette that is less harmful to the smoker.

The researchers took natural antioxidant extracts and placed them in cigarette filters. They say that lycopene and grape seed extract drastically reduced the amount of cancer-causing free radicals passing through the filter. Their findings will be published in the Journal of Visualized Experiments (JoVE).

“The implications of this technique can help reduce the hazardous effects of tobacco smoke, because free radicals are a major group of carcinogens,” said Dr. Boris Dzilkovski, who co-authored the paper.

Taboo claim

Tobacco companies have, in the past, been sued for suggesting any type of cigarette might be safer than another, so the research is likely to raise eyebrows, as well as the blood pressure of anti-smoking activists who have long maintained there is no such thing as a “healthier” cigarette.

The Cornell scientists are quick to point out that “the best cigarette is no cigarette,” but hasten to add that, like it or not, millions of people continue to smoke, despite the known health hazards.

Other efforts

The scientists point out this is not the first time someone has tried to produce a safer cigarette. Haemoglobin, which transports oxygen in red blood cells, and activated carbon have been shown to reduce free-radicals in cancer smoke by up to 90 percent, but because of the cost, the combination has not been successfully introduced to the market, the researchers say.

JoVE Content Director Dr. Aaron Kolski-Andreaco, said he is very excited to be publishing the video article.

“Practically, this research could lead to an alternative type of cigarette filter with a free radical scavenging additive,” said Kolski-Andreaco. “It could lead to a less harmful cigarette.”

There will, or course, be those who adamantly disagree. You can view the full video article here.

.