Federal Trade Commission


"TAR," NICOTINE, AND CARBON MONOXIDE

OF THE SMOKE OF 1294 VARIETIES

OF DOMESTIC CIGARETTES

FOR THE YEAR 1998







Issued 2000



REPORT OF "TAR," NICOTINE, AND CARBON MONOXIDE OF THE SMOKE OF 1294 VARIETIES OF DOMESTIC CIGARETTES FOR THE YEAR 1998

 

This report contains data on the "tar," nicotine, and carbon monoxide yields of 1294 varieties of cigarettes manufactured and sold in the United States in 1998. Cigarette ratings for "tar," nicotine and carbon monoxide are currently determined by machine testing conducted in accordance with a methodology adopted by the Commission in 1967. The "tar" and nicotine testing program was intended to provide smokers seeking to switch to lower "tar" cigarettes with a single, standardized measurement with which to choose among the then-existing brands.

Over the past 30 years that the current system has been in place, there have been dramatic decreases in the machine-measured "tar" and nicotine yields of cigarettes. Since 1968, the average sales-weighted machine-measured "tar" yield has fallen from 21.6 mg. to 12.0 mg. Today, nearly 82% of all cigarettes sold have machine-measured "tar" yields of 15 mg. or less.

Despite these substantial decreases in machine-measured yields, the Commission has been concerned for some time that the current test method may be misleading to individual consumers who rely on the ratings it produces as indicators of how much "tar" and nicotine they actually get from their cigarettes.

The Commission is concerned that smokers may incorrectly believe, e.g., that they will get 3three times as much "tar" from a 15 mg. "tar" cigarette as from a 5 mg. "tar" cigarette. In fact, if compensation is sufficiently great, it is possible for smokers to get as much "tar" and nicotine from relatively low rated cigarettes as from higher rated ones.

In light of these concerns, in 1998 the Commission requested that the Department of Health and Human Services ("HHS") conduct a complete review of the FTC's cigarette testing methodology. That review is currently underway. While that review is underway, the Commission believes that all smokers should know the following facts:

VARIETIES WITH THE LOWEST "TAR" YIELD

BRAND DESCRIPTION TA NIC C
Carlton Kin F H Ultra- <0 <0.0 <0
Now 100 F H       <0 <0.0 <0
Now Kin F H <0 <0.0 <0
Carlton* Kin F S Ultra <0 0.1 <0
Carlton 100 F H Lt Mentho <0 0.1 1
Next* Kin F H Charcoal 1 0.1 N
Cambridge Kin F S Lowest 1 0.1 1
Carlton Kin F S Lt Mentho 1 0.1 1
Carlton 100 F H Lt 1 0.1 1
Carlton Kin F H 1 0.1 1
Carlton Kin F S Lt 1 0.1 1
Bristol Kin F S Lowest 1 0.1 2
Merit Kin F H Ultima 1 0.1 2
Now Kin F S Mentho 1 0.1 2
Merit Kin F S Ultima 1 0.1 3
Carlton 100 F S Lt 1 0.2 2
Now Kin F S 1 0.2 2


VARIETIES WITH THE HIGHEST "TAR" YIELD
BRAND DESCRIPTION TA NIC C
Commander Kin N S 27 1.7 17
Basic Kin N S 27 1.7 16
Bristol Kin N S 27 1.7 16
English Ovals Kin N H 26 2.0 15
Old Gold Kin N S Straigh 26 1.8 18
All American Kin N S 25 1.8 N
Best Buy* Kin N S Generic 25 1.8 N
Bronson* Kin N S Generic 25 1.8 N
Genco* Kin N S Generic 25 1.8 N
Generals* Kin N S Generic 25 1.8 N
Gridlock* Kin N S Generic 25 1.8 N
Premium Buy* Kin N S Generic 25 1.8 N
Shenandoah* Kin N S Generic 25 1.8 N
Shield* Kin N S Generic 25 1.8 N
Top Choice* Kin N S Generic 25 1.8 N
Camel Reg N S 25 1.7 17
Pyramid Kin N S FF 25 1.5 18
Herbert Kin N S 25 1.5 17
Pall Mall Kin N S 24 1.6 16
Pall Mall* Reg N S 24 1.6 16
Lucky Strike Reg N S 24 1.5 17
Chesterfield Kin N S FF 24 1.4 17


F=Filter; NF=Non-Filter; HP=Hard Pack; SP=Soft Pack; Lt=Light; FF=Full Flavor

* indicates brand tested by the manufacturer rather than by TITL

FOR FULL REPORT SEE: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/menu-tobac.htm