OBJECTIVES: To examine the extensive research undertaken by the tobacco industry over the past 25 years toward development of a fire safe cigarette. METHODS: Research was conducted through a web based search of internal tobacco industry documents made publicly available through the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement. RESULTS: The documents reveal that the tobacco industry produced a fire safe cigarette years ago, but failed to put it on the market. These findings contradict public industry claims that denied the technical feasibility and commercial acceptability of fire safe cigarettes. Internal documents also reveal a decades long, coordinated political strategy used to block proposed legislation and obfuscate the fire safe issue. CONCLUSIONS: Federal legislation mandating fire safe cigarettes is needed.
OBJECTIVES: To examine the extensive research undertaken by the tobacco industry over the past 25 years toward development of a fire safe cigarette. METHODS: Research was conducted through a web based search of internal tobacco industry documents made publicly available through the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement. RESULTS: The documents reveal that the tobacco industry produced a fire safe cigarette years ago, but failed to put it on the market. These findings contradict public industry claims that denied the technical feasibility and commercial acceptability of fire safe cigarettes. Internal documents also reveal a decades long, coordinated political strategy used to block proposed legislation and obfuscate the fire safe issue. CONCLUSIONS: Federal legislation mandating fire safe cigarettes is needed.
Authors: Richard J O'Connor; Vaughan W Rees; Kaila J Norton; K Michael Cummings; Gregory N Connolly; Hillel R Alpert; Andreas Sjödin; Lovisa Romanoff; Zheng Li; Kristie M June; Gary A Giovino Journal: Nicotine Tob Res Date: 2010-08-30 Impact factor: 4.244
Authors: R J O'Connor; G A Giovino; B V Fix; A Hyland; D Hammond; G T Fong; U Bauer; K M Cummings Journal: Tob Control Date: 2006-02 Impact factor: 7.552
Authors: Sarah E Adkison; Richard J O'Connor; Ron Borland; Hua-Hie Yong; K Michael Cummings; David Hammond; Geoffrey T Fong Journal: Tob Induc Dis Date: 2013-12-21 Impact factor: 2.600
Authors: Jennifer Cantrell; Donna M Vallone; James F Thrasher; Rebekah H Nagler; Shari P Feirman; Larry R Muenz; David Y He; Kasisomayajula Viswanath Journal: PLoS One Date: 2013-01-14 Impact factor: 3.240