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American Journal of Public Health logoLink to American Journal of Public Health
. 1988 Jun;78(6):694–695. doi: 10.2105/ajph.78.6.694

Prevalence of the misuse of ultra-low-tar cigarettes by blocking filter vents.

L T Kozlowski 1, M A Pope 1, J E Lux 1
PMCID: PMC1350286  PMID: 3369602

Abstract

Evidence from tar-stain patterns in 135 cigarette filters discarded in ashtrays in public areas of shopping malls was used to estimate the prevalence of behaviorally blocked air dilution vents in ultra-low-yield cigarettes. Nineteen per cent (+/- 4, standard errors of the mean) of the filters had been blocked extremely, 39 per cent (+/- 5 SEM) had been blocked to some degree, and 42 per cent (+/- 5 SEM) had not been blocked at all. Smokers, health practitioners, and researchers need to be warned of the risks of vent blocking.

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Selected References

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