eS

 

 

SMOKE ON

Part of a series of articles on
smoking from "Your Health", B.C.
Lung Association.

most 1

only appa

early 1960

had shown Yonclitst

coronary disease, stroke and lung cancer were substantially
higher for cigarette smokers than for non-smokers or
former smokers. Cigarette smoking has also been shown to
be associated with increased risks of chronic bronchitis and
emphysema.

In Canada, the Minister of National Health and Welfare
initiated a national program to reduce cigarette consump-
tion in 1963. In a 1968 report on cigarette smoking and
health, the Minister stated that the dangers of cigarette
smoking posed a large and increasing health problem. Since
that time the extent of cigarette smoking has declined
slowly but steadily among males, particularly those 20
years of age and over, but has increased among females
under 20 years of age. However, it is estimated that more
than six million Canadians, 15 years of age and over,
smoked regularly in 1975.

A study conducted in 1966 estimated that the overall cost
of certain consequences clearly associated with smoking
amounted to $378 million. Within this total figure, the costs
of hospital care and physicians’ services amounted to $29
million and fires caused by smoking contributed $14
million.

PRODUCING FOR THE MARKET

Canada is self-sufficient in the production of tobacco;
over 250 million pounds were grown in 1974. The farm value
of leaf tobacco increased during the period 1970 to 1974
from $143 million to $230 million. This was primarily due
to a sharp price increase from 64 cents/pound in 1970 to 90
cents in 1974.

There are seventeen tobacco product manufacturers in
Canada, which employed a total of 8,000 people in 1973.

These firms tend to be larger than the leaf processors and
are dominated by the four major cigarette manufacturers.
Processing tobacco leaves into products is a complex

   

 

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY DIAL "0"

 

ehlth concerns of smokers.
e milder cigarettes may be
pking is easier. This may have
eas ng number of girls and young
women who \raye bem to smoke. Some of the milder
cigarettes are onsidered ' ‘women’s cigarettes’ and the
advertising is specifically directed at women. Other brands
are now attempting to broaden their appeal in order to
share in the most rapidly growing segment of the market —
women smokers.

PRODUCT MODIFICATIONS

The characteristics of cigarette products have changed
significantly since the evidence linking smoking to lung
cancer were first widely publicized about 15 years ago. For
example, tar and nicotine levels have been reduced, filters
have been added and tobacco smoke may contain few
carcinogens. Cigarettes are now being marketed which
actually yield extremely low quantities of tar and nicotine,
while some manufacturers are introducing ‘mild’ versions
of their popular brands. The sale of these ‘mild’ cigarettes
increased about 20% between 1975 and 1976; in July 1976
they represented about 11% of the market. Sales have
continued to increase so that by December 1976 ‘mild’
cigarettes accounted for 14% of cigarette sales.
BUT
If the only available product was a ‘mild’ cigarette with
about 0.8 mg. of nicotine, it might be smoked differently
than a more potent product in order to extract more
nicotine—for example, more puffs per cigarette, deeper
inhalation or smoking the cigarette toa shorter butt length.

 

"FLASH" - Thought that would get your
attention.

The BRK Smoke Alarm recently advertised
has been reduced to $18.90 incl. 5%
Provincial Tax. For further information
call Andrew MacAdam, loc. 2425S.