UK Experts Call for Ban on Cigarette Filters, Citing increased Lung Cancer Risk
London - Public health and environmental experts are urging the UK government to ban cigarette filters, arguing they contribute to a rise in deadly lung adenocarcinoma and falsely reassure smokers about health risks. Research highlighted by the experts reveals that filters alter the way people smoke, leading to deeper inhalation of harmful chemicals.
A recent study, co-authored by dr. Sean East, found that “these factors mean that the introduction of filters has led to an increase in deadly lung adenocarcinoma,” according to the researchers’ published findings.
The call for a ban comes as the UK considers legislation that woudl raise the legal smoking age to prevent anyone born after 2009 from purchasing tobacco.Experts believe this presents a ”unique opportunity to further regulate tobacco products,” but emphasize that any filter ban must be accompanied by public education to counter widespread misconceptions about their benefits.
“Filters are a marketing con to keep people smoking, protecting tobacco industry profits,” stated Hazel Cheeseman, chief executive of Action on Smoking and Health, and a co-author of the research. ”This incredibly prosperous deception means the majority of people are unaware filters have no health benefits. The government has an opportunity to stop enabling this deception and ban filters outright.”
The editorial advocates for robust public education campaigns alongside regulations, aiming to expose how the tobacco industry has historically used filters to mislead consumers. Cigarette filters do not reduce health risks; rather, they contribute to environmental pollution as a major source of plastic waste.
