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. 2011 Oct 15;89(2):217–231. doi: 10.1007/s11524-011-9617-y

Table 2.

Simultaneous meanings of a public health issue19

A cigarette is…
A combustible mass of tobacco leaves and additives whose burning smoke transports psychoactive and addictive chemicals (e.g., nicotine) and carcinogens deep down the respiratory tract to the innermost parts of the lung and its alveolar capillaries, thereby increasing risk of cancer, cardiovascular and pulmonary disease, and other smoking-related ailments. A highly profitable product whose production, distribution, advertisement, and consumption involves relentless corporate marketing (including manipulation of ideologies involving freedom, class, gender, sexuality, race/ethnicity, and targeting of marginalized groups), government regulation and taxation, tobacco farmers and workers, land ownership, trade agreements, and international treaties.