Document 99Q7o3JbRDgLNpJxm77mapjR5

FILE NAME: Smoking (SMOK) DATE: 1952 DOC#: SMOK046 DO CUM ENT DESCRIPTION: Journal Article - Kent Cigarettes Are the Advertising Claims Made in Their Behalf Justified? iii w m Sk& h & .^S t&ki* ,, -it' <H: m mi & ~w: OUTBOARD MOTORS 6 * "SM t ' ^ "'::`/ i'"B: LAWN SPRINKLERS V*;- 1 V i/ .,v ..-7Z l .i .. .* .-'"t fi-SI STUDEBAKER CHAMPION ?& $$ggm 0 LAN D WILLYS AERO W IN G * * , ' ....is i - `iv- * : - v . ;*at; . ' - 1 i- BSS /' -i-, r - * f ! t-m W mm a e ftr"? tffJW S ' ! % Mm FOR COMPLETE CONTENTS SEE THIRD PAGE `sM^ Kent cigarettes : Are the advertising claims made in their behalf justified? I f you live in New York City, Chicago, or Los Angeles, you will already have seen advertisements for Kent cigarettes, a new brand which P. Lorillard & Co. plans soon to pro mote on a nation-wide scale. Kent cigarettes, according to these ads, are made with a "Micronite filter" developed by "researchers in atomic energy plants." This filter "takes out seven times more nico tine and tars than any other leading filter cigarette." Because of the interest these advertisements have aroused, CU checked to see whether Kents actually live up to the claims. Tests were made to compare the amount of nicotine and tar* present in the smoke of Kents with that of six other cigarettes. Three of these-- Viceroy, Du Maurier, and Parliament---were filter-tipped cigarettes. Included also were Sano, a denicotinized cigarette, and John Alden, a cigarette said to be made of special low-nicotine-content tobacco. For purposes of comparison, an ordinary cigarette, Old Gold (made by the makers of Kent) was included. Two to six cigarettes of each brand were tested for nico tine and tar content. Each cigarette was fixed in a glass tube, somewhat as in a cigarette holder, and "smoked" by a mechanical apparatus which collected the smoke. The average smoker's rate of one puff a minute was simulated, each puff lasting about two seconds and containing about 35 cubic centimeters of smoke (a little more than two cubic inches). The nicotine and the tars were extracted from the smoke, and their quantity was determined. Tests show significant differences in nicotine and tar content from cigarette to cigarette of the same brand. The figures in the table are averages for each brand, but in view of the differences between cigarettes and the small number of samples, the figures give only a rough indica tion of the relative standing of the brands listed. It is possible that tests of a large number of cigarettes of each brand would show that Old Gold, Viceroy, Du Maurier and Parliament all have about the same nicotine content; and the relationship of Kent, John Alden and -Sano might be changed. However, it is clear that the Kents are very low in both nicotine and tar as compared with the regular brands of cigarettes tested. What is tke attraction of a cigarette whose smoke is low * *Taf* is variously defined in the technical literature. For purposes of comparison among the cigarettes, one of the definitions was adopted for use throughout the test. 262-- JU N E 1952 in nicotine and tar? Apparently, the irritating and toxic effects of tobacco smoke are of concern to many smokers. Recently a third effect has been widely discussed in medical publications, that is, the possibility that heavy smoking contributes to the development of lung cancer. Nicotine in amounts present in ordinary cigarettes has a definite constricting action on blood vessels. This action is particularly undesirable in persons with Buerger's disease and "peripheral arteriosclerosis." The tars normally pres ent in cigarette smoke have some irritating effect on the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract and the lungs. Only extensive clinical tests can show whether the nicotine and tar content of Kent smoke is low enough so that Kents can be safely smoked by individuals with certain diseases, such as Buerger's disease and some types of stomach ulcer. It is doubtful that any physician will permit a patient with these disorders to smoke even a Kent type of cigarette. It is possible, however, that in other less serious conditions, a physician may feel that the reduced nicotine and tar content in Kent cigarettes recommends its use in place of the ordinary cigarette. TABLE OF TEST RESULTS Cigarette brand OLD GOLD SANO JO H N ALDEN V IC ER O Y DU M A U RIER PA R L IA M E N T KENT Nicotine in smoke per cigarette (milligrams) 1.7 0.8 0.3 1.8 2.1 2.4 0.5 Tar content of smoke per cigarette (mg) 17 10 9 8 7 6 2 Kent cigarettes have their drawbacks, however. Probably because of their filter, they require considerably more effort to draw on than do other cigarettes. Unless you make the extra effort, you will get a good deal less smoke with each puff than with other cigarettes. Some smokers who tried Kents complained that they were lacking in flavor. Perhaps this was because they were getting relatively little smoke in each puff. The price of Kents in New York City at the time of test was 31(f per pack, compared with 22(J per pack for the leading brands. consumer Copyright 1952 by Consumers Union of U.S^ Inc. Indexed in "Readers' Guide" Ju n e 1952 v o lu m e 17 n u m b er 6 KENT CIGARETTES: Does Kent's "Mieronite filter" take out "seven times more nicotine and tars than any other filter cigarette" ? .................. . ... . . . . 2 6 2 MEN'S SUMMER SUITS: Ratings of 9 9 .different lines of summer suits, and a listing of some major outlets for those judged good in the different available fabrics......... ...............................s- .................... ........................ 2 6 4 LAWN SPRINKLERS: A report on tests of 52 lawn sprinklers of many different types. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...........................\ . . . . . . . .2 7 3 OUTBOARD MOTORS: Ratings based on tests of 21 outboard motors, ranging from 2.5 horsepower to 12 horsepower..................................................... 2 7 3 AUTOMOBILES: Although underpowered and high in price, the 1952 Studebaker Champion and the Willys Aero Wing disclosed some useful abilities. ......... ............. .. ............................................... .... 2 8 8 WHEEL HOES: 20 single-wheel and double-wheel hoes and 5 mulchers were tested for ease of use, hardness of implements, and probable durability.........291 UH F: Some answers to questions TV set owners are asking about U H F . . . . . .3 0 5 h ealth and m edicine ANTI-TUBERCULOSIS DRUGS: New drugs have not eliminated the need for other forms of treatment, but they are important in the treatment of tuberculosis.................................................................. .......................... .. 204 econom ics fo r consum ers ' STOCKS AND THE INVESTOR: A discussion of the risks involved in stock speculation, and how some large and conservative investors minimize them. . 2 9 8 THE FUTURE OF INFLATION CONTROL: Some drastic changes in the Defense Production Act are needed if it is to give effective protection to the consumer and the economy......... ..................................................... 302 departm ents and features Cumulative Index 3 0 6 Movies 3 0 7 BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Colston E. Warne, president; Helen Hall, secretory; Bernard J. Reis, treasurer; Arthur Kallet, director. Alex Bavelas, Frank Beube, D.D.S., Lin coln H. Clark, William G. Colby, Leon- . ard J. Goldwater, M.D., Paul J. Kern, Sidney Margolius, George E. (Jutland, Edward Reich, Madeline Ross, Adelaide Schulkind, Theodore Shedlovsky. RATING SYMBOLS: A single block identi- fies an Acceptable product; two blocks a Best Buy; a circle O a Not Ac ceptable product. .- i - - BACK COPIES: When available, issues of consumer reports published since Jan- ., uary 1947 are 35^ each; earlier issues of consumer reports are 25d each... CONSUMERS UNION is a nonprofit organiza tion established in 1936. It js chartered under the Membership Corporations law of the State of New York and derives its income from subscription fees. Con sumers Union has. no connection of any kind with any commercial interest; itaccepts no advertising and does not per mit the use of its ratings to promote the sale of any product. MEMBERSHIP: Subscribers can become members of Consumers Union either on written application, or by voting in the annual election of directors. Membership is terminated on written notice, or if the right to vote is not exercised. PURPOSES: Consumers Union's purposes, as" stated in its charter, are to provide for consumers information and counsel on consumer goods and services . . . to give information and assistance on all matters relating to the expenditure of the family income . . . to initiate and to cooperate with individual and group efforts seeking to create and maintain decent living standards. PRODUCT TESTS: Samples of products tested are bought on the open market by CU's shoppers. So . long as quality varies within brands and products change be hind their names, no test results can be infallible. What CU's ratings offer is comparative buying information the use of which, CU believes, will enormously increase the consumer's chances of get ting his money'sworth. Ratings are based on laboratory tests, controlled use tests, expert opinion or experience, or a com bination of these factors. It is CU's pledge that any opinions entering into its ratings shall be as free from bias as it is possible to make them. SUBSCRIPTION RATES: $5 a year for the monthly consumer reports including 11 regular issues and the Annual Buying Guide number issued each December; $8.50 for two years. Add 50<f for foreign subscriptions. Lower rates ($3.50 each) are available for group subscriptions; when five or more are entered together. CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Send both the old and the new address and allow four weeks for the change to become effective. CONSUMERS UNION operates under contract with the Newspaper Guild of New York, Local 3, American Newspaper Guild, CIO. CONSUMER REPORTS Is published monthly by Consumers Union of tfc S.,-lne., 38 East 1st Street, New. Y ork3,N . Y. Entered os second-class matter January 23,1943, a t the Post Office in New York, N. YMunder the Act of March 3,1879. Additional entry a t the Post Office a t Dunetlen, NrJ. VOL 17, NO. 8