Self Help

The tobacco companies have brought out several cigarettes they’d like us to believe are safer than regular cigarettes. A product called Eclipse burns a piece of charcoal. The smoke from the charcoal passes over beads with nicotine extract on them. The heat from this releases some of the nicotine and flavorings, so the smoker inhales the charcoal smoke, the nicotine, and the flavorings. These devices are lit, and they burn. So you’re still inhaling smoke.

The tobacco companies advertise these products with words like “cleaner.” They want you to think “safer” but they can’t say that because then the government would regulate the product, as Congress requires the regulation of all products that make health claims. There’s little doubt that these products - providing inhaled charcoal smoke - are not safe. The American Lung Association and other smoking experts believe there is no such thing as a safe cigarette.

Because these devices may reduce the amount of noticeable exhaled and side-stream smoke, they may be deemed acceptable for use in settings where smoking is prohibited - such as workplaces. But smokers using such products may not be helped to quit. In fact, they may wind up smoking more cigarettes to get their usual nicotine.