Did Scientists Discover a Way to Make Cigarettes ‘Healthier’?
- Posted on January 4, 2012 at 12:00am by
Liz Klimas
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Researchers used a smoking simulation apparatus in the lab to help them conduct their experiments.
Even though almost all health professionals would say that quitting smoking is the healthiest option, researchers at Cornell University believe they may have found a way to make cigarettes healthier than their current state.
According to their paper published in the Journal of Visualized Experiments, the team notes that while tars and other products in the particle phase of cigarette smoke are considered carcinogenic, free radicals are also significant factors that can cause cancer. A free radical, according to Rice University, is an atom with an unpaired electron. These unstable atoms can cause damage to cellular membranes and DNA causing cancer, aging and other diseases.
The Cornell researchers reference studies that have shown haemoglobin and heme-containing compounds as effective at reducing free radicals in cigarette smoke in the past, but the technology was not cost-effective enough to produce. What their current research has found is that using antioxidants from wine or tomatoes byproducts in the cigarette’s filter can have a similar trapping effect.
Here the researchers cut the filter in half to insert antioxidants in between the two halves.
Lycopene extract from tomatoes and grape seed extract from wine making are cheaply produced and readily available. The researchers cut the cigarette filter in half, placed the antioxidant mixture in between the two halves making a “filter-antioxidant-filter sandwich.”
According to the research, the antioxidants in these extracts were able to “scavenge” 90 percent of free radicals in the smoke.
TG Daily has more:
“Practically, this research could lead to an alternative type of cigarette filter with a free radical scavenging additive,” says Dr. Aaron Kolski-Andreaco, content director of JoVE, where the report appears.
“It could lead to a less harmful cigarette.”
Even still, TG Daily notes that the antioxidant filter may only be beneficial for heavier smokers and that the effectiveness of the antioxidant has a short shelf life of about a week.
In a video explaining the research and results on JOVE, the researchers explain how their technique using electron spin resonance spectrometry, compared to other techniques to study free radicals, can also be applied to studying industrial smoke, exhaust and smog.
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Gumbercules
Posted on January 6, 2012 at 1:42amHealthier? Were they healthy to begin with?!
Report Post »Logistician
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 9:20pmTry taking the carpet glue out of the cigarettes, that would be a nice start.
Report Post »Veneratio
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 3:27pmA new study brought to you by the Journal of Pseudo Science has discovered a correlation between the degree of anti-smoking zeal and a person’s communist propensity.
When Dr. Busybody was asked how he felt about the study, he stated, “The ends justify the means. First we condition people to allow us to think for them, all the while systematically banning or hyper regulating items we do not feel are good for people or find offensive. The next item on our agenda is fast food, and soda. After which, we are going to seek high taxes on meat products to reduce the amount of meat eaten, and animal murder. I joyously see a future when we can lock down everybody into automatons; after which, there will be peace on earth. Just think, everyone will be equalized to the same level, and nobody will be able to do anything that could cause harm to themselves. Rejoice in the anti-tobacco rhetoric Comrade! It is one of the first steps into our glorious revolution to manipulate and control the human condition.”
So does the amount of conviction that hyper-anti-tobacco zealots express show how much Communist propensity they have…? There is strong scientific evidence that points to yes…
Tune it next week for, “Bigfoot Once Existed, Time Traveling Forth Hand Tobacco Smoke Decimates Species.”
Report Post »Obeckian1984
Posted on January 6, 2012 at 8:19amlook at the FDA going after Cigars next
Report Post »http://www.cigarsinternational.com/html/spec_fda.asp
FoxholeAtheist
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 1:18pmOne of the biggest litter bugs right now is an SUV driving Xtian who tosses their butts out of their windows. If I had a nickel for every time I saw a pair of lit fingers tossing one out of a window from a vehicle with one of those Jesus fish plastered to its rear window, my fortune would probably rival Glenneth’s.
Report Post »Hampton
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 1:50pmIf you are looking for an irksome behavior or practice in order to justify your dislike of Christians or Christianity, you will surely find it. Christians have faults, too. Instead, try to take an unbiased and objective view of the Christian message itself.
Report Post »For everyone else, this is a good reminder to be mindful of the image that we are presenting. It does matter.
FoxholeAtheist
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 7:11pmI‘m just saying that they’re the biggest culprit when it comes to buttheading. Most of them don’t act like good stewards of the earth, rather they act more like they can do whatever they want with their god‘s ’creation’ as if they will never have an impact on it or anyone around them and without thinking of others. No one can tell them what to do. Meanwhile, they use the earth and its resources up just because they can.
Report Post »Aren’t they supposed to keep their body as a temple for the lord to dwell in?
They are selfish and, as I notice, the selfish ones are the ones who are usually the smokers.
Southern Rebel
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 7:26pmFoxhole..you actually make a very good point..especially about the ‘christians’ and what their teachings are. Pesonally, I‘m a smoker AND I’m a believer in the Lord Jesus, but I am NOT a christian nor do I subscribe to their pathetic theologies and belief systems about being ‘stewards of the earth’ and the ‘body being the temple of the Holy Spirit.’
Report Post »The body IS the Temple of the Holy Spirit, so I don‘t feed it ’spiritual junk’, which christians love to shove down their throats, and yeah, we are to be good stewards of the earth, but that doesn‘t mean we have to buy into the ’environmental agenda’ which of itself, is a religion.
So…you won’t see a fish on my back end, but you may see a butt flying out the window. I’d use an astray, but most modern cars don’t have them anylonger…because of the political correct BS which is another religion. :) lol.
One last point: the Lord wants your SOUL, not the carcass we have that contains the soul, because it will not see the Kingdom of Heaven, the soul however will, because it’ll live forever IF one comes to the cross first. :)
Good point though foxhole..thanks for putting it out there.
FoxholeAtheist
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 3:43pmThat’s a bunch of crap. You can get an ashtray in a new vehicle. If not, your lazy ass can install your own. Smokers don’t care about anyone, not even their own children, when it comes to their habit. It’s wrong and immoral to throw your stinking lit butts out of your window. That‘s not some sort of ’environmental conspiracy’. It’s just a fact. It’s litter, just like anything else. Only, with your litter you have a chance of starting a fire.
Report Post »Smokers are lazy, pathetic, filthy, and selfish. With you, morality goes right out the window with every butt you throw. You’re repugnant and you disgust me.
FoxholeAtheist
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 3:48pmThe ‘environmental agenda’ is not a conspiracy. It‘s a fact that the earth just can’t sustain all of us at the rate we are using her up. Anyone with eyes should be able to see that. Those tobacco fields would be better suited to grow teff.
Report Post »independentvoteril
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 1:07pmto make them safer TAKE OUT THE UNNECESSARY chemicals.. would be a CHEAP and EASY start.. than they can do the same with OUR food.. booze..clothes.. ETC..
Report Post »MYHEROISRON
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 2:47pm… yeah, I quit smoking four years ago. 38 years … Too bad for me, the damage is done. So if you smoke, quit. If you don’t smoke, then don’t start.
Report Post »nowhereman
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 12:31pm“Even though almost all health professionals would say that quitting smoking is the healthiest option…”
Report Post »Who the heck are those “health professionals” that DON’T SAY quitting is the healthiest option?
Cigarettes aren’t healthy, period!
Bronco II
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 11:51amGee thanks for watching out for me.Now can they make alcoho taste good without the people who drink getting drunk and killing people on the road.Never heard of a smoker wiped out a whole family in three seconds from smoking.And yes I know it‘s bad for me and yes I’m stupid but I work I pay for them and I never miss work because of them how about you heavy drinkers how many days do they miss because of a hangover HUH.But I don’t condemn people who drink as long as they are responsible drinkers and stay off the roads other then that drink up.I don‘t drink because I choose not to and some don’t smoke because they choose not to so there you go your life is yours and mine is mine and by the way my smoking and quiting is between GOD AND I.
Report Post »FoxholeAtheist
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 1:12pmSecond hand smoke affects others as well as what it leaves behind on your body and your clothes. you’re a walking cancer stick. I‘m sure you’ve never ever tossed your lit butt out of your car window or thrown it on the ground and left it there, either. Right?
Smoking has got to be one of the most selfish habits you can take up.
Report Post »MONICNE
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 2:18pmSmoker drops lit cigarette while driving, becomes deadly land missile just as distracted as a text-er.
Just do not smoke when you drive, super genius.
TEA
Report Post »teamarcheson
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 10:03amCigarette Cancer Was One Of The Original GLOBAL WARMING Type Democrat Hoaxes
There never was any scientific data supporting cigarette smoke to lung cancer or Global Warming.
Report Post »teamarcheson
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 10:05amWe Now Have Second Hand E-Smoke
Democrats have now proven that you can get lung cancer by watching people smoke on the internet or in photographs.
Report Post »Rowgue
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 12:07pmSmoking clearly causes cancer. There is no disputing the number of smokers that die from cancer in comparison to non smokers. It’s common sense really, since just about anything when burned produces carcinogenic smoke. And the common sense is confirmed by thousands of studies and actual real world cancer rates.
The fear mongering scare tactic campaign in the tobacco world is the one directed at the smokeless tobacco industry. Study after study have shown that there is little to no cancer risk increase from using smokeless tobacco, and it’s backed up by actual real world cancer rates. But the idiots still manage to find the couple of poor saps each year that just randomly develop mouth cancer, and take lots of gruesome photos for their brochures.
Report Post »nilo
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 8:43amIt doesn‘t take a rocket scientist to figure out the cigarette problem and one’s health. Just don’t smoke.
Report Post »demint.disciple
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 9:57amWho cares about quiting ? What do you all want to live forever ? WTF ???? This country sucks after the year 1965 anyway, and there is no going back now.. No one is ever going to change the country back to what it used to be, can‘t be done and it doesn’t matter who you vote for..
Report Post »If I died tomorrow ( I could only wish ) I would happy and smoky.. I couldn’t care less what people say about me smoking, if they complain I blow it right in their direction… I have every right to smoke and you have every right to leave if you don’t like it.. Great a safer cigarette– now they will be screwing around with my cigs without caring if anyone wants them to..
teamarcheson
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 10:01amOld News
Over 20 years ago, hybrid varieties of tobacco were developed that had negligible carcinogens but it was the Democrats and their fanaticism that prevented the healthy cigarettes from being marketed. The Democrats never did care about cigarette cancer they only wanted to control peoples lives. The proof of this is that E-cigarettes that only give off water vapor are also banned.
Report Post »BIGJOSHTOTHERIGHT
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 8:20amsmoking has never been a health issue for the leftist, it’s all about control, control,control!!!
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 7:12am.
Safer cigarettes? Does this mean the Government will start encourage smoking to raise taxes?
Bring back Joe Camel…………
Report Post »teamarcheson
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 10:04amCan we now smoke at work and on airplanes?
Report Post »GETLIFE
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 6:47amCool! Now they have to find a way to use it in cigars.
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 7:06am.
Report Post »Monica said she would be a human test subject. Long as Bill does the Test LOL……
Rowgue
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 3:42amUseless research since there is no objective evidence that shows free radicals have any correlation whatsoever to cancer let alone that it’s a definitive cause.
Report Post »Skwerl E. Muckenfutch
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 3:16amOr you could switch to the e-cigarette. I did 2 yrs ago, and have been smoke-free ever since
Report Post »Twobyfour
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 4:56ame-cigarettes! That‘s what it’s called. Thx.
Report Post »cherylinva
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 9:32amE cigs are the way to go. I will be smoke free 2 years in Feb.
Report Post »REALID 239823749828-HIF
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 10:28amI’m working on a year and a half of being smoke free myself. E-cigs are awesome!
Report Post »abbygirl1994
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 1:48amExpect the Government to put the breaks on this idea.. the Tobacco Co. are to big to fail!
Report Post »Carrie3570
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 12:55amSo if I drink wine everytime I smoke, I should be set…. right??? hahaha!!
Report Post »Twobyfour
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 4:47amYep! Why I haven’t think of it before…
Report Post »Starting tomorrow at breakfast time!
Captain Crunch
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 12:51amMake cigarrettes illegal. Prohibition. 20 years in prison for growing tobacco, smuggling any tobacco product into the country and across state lines. 10 years for possession or sales.
Maybe then I’d be able to quit. But that’s just a fantasy because Ron Paul would let children have them as a right.
jtstrickland1986
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 1:18amwho do you think you are? who are you to tell me or anybody else that we should be thrown in jail for smoking a cigarette? the policy of prohibition has always been concocted by PROGRESSIVES and in every case turns out to be a complete failure! it always leads to increase in crime but more importantly a huge increase in more govt control..how you can say your a conservative and for less govt and spending cuts and then come on this blog and say ban tobacco just because you dont like it? thats so hypocritical you either believe in limited govt and individual liberty or you dont! you cant pick and choose what you think people should and shouldnt be allowed to do when my decision to smoke doesnt affect you one bit…have some actual principles and stand by them instead of going back and forth like the progressives do…if you call yourself a true conservative then start acting like one..ridiculous!
Report Post »SacredHonor1776
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 2:31amNot just progressives, but most of the kernals of prohibitions, the ‘temperance’ movements were pushed by religious groups starting early on, but built up during the mid-1800′s… generally speaking various conservative religious groups… before the progressives even existed…
There were several state based attempts to ban alcohol on the state level between 1840-1860′s or so…
Report Post »jcannon98188
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 3:56amYour linking to the states is apples to oranges. States maintain the right to be able to ban what ever they want, as guaranteed to them by the 10th Amendment. Under the Constitution however, Congress has no right to federally ban any substance. Do not mistake me for a drug user however, I hate drugs and alcohol and do not associate myself with anyone who even smokes or drinks, I find it vile and disgusting. But the fact still stands, they technically have the right to smoke or drink or take whatever drugs they want.
Report Post »Twobyfour
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 4:36amCapt’n, smoke cigars. It‘s healthier than cigarettes and you won’t be smoking as much (worked for me). You can also get these “fake” cigarettes–you’ll get you nicotine fix while not inhaling all sorts of collateral nasties. And it’s a good transitional device for quitting entirely.
I understood that your comment meant that you want to be jailed so you’ll be forced to quit. Not sure why you want to impose your solution on others. They aren’t responsible for your inability to quit.
Report Post »1956
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 7:03amJTSSTICKLAND1986:
I believe that Captain Crunch was being facetious in his statement, not serious. It appears to me he is saying that HIS scenario is the only way he could quit. I certainly don’t take him seriously.
Report Post »Hockeytown
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 8:45amCaptain Crunch you should try Chantix. I’m using it and it really works. It makes them taste nasty and you just don’t want to smoke anymore. Never thought I could quit and tried everything else. It took me a couple months, but I am now smoke free.
Report Post »demint.disciple
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 9:47am@jtstrickland1986.. WOW !! man, the meds run out ? He was being facetious. My god does everyone have to put an lol or lmao or even a emoticon to express themselves on the net..
Report Post »I could tell from the first few words of the sentence he was being sarcastic.. calm down and grab a cigarette..
SacredHonor1776
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 1:49pmThe problem is the ‘temperance’ movements may have started on state level, but they soon pushed for national ‘temperance’… There were quite a few attempts at national prohibition, before the 20th century prohibition took hold… But the 20th century prohibition was based on those earlier movements, and the progressives just took advantage of the conservative side of the movement, just like they try to take advantage of any popular movement…
Report Post »Veneratio
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 10:22amSacredHonor1776 if you study history you will find that the groups that pushed for prohibition was the Christian Left, not the Conservative Right.
The Christian Left is a group that believes in pushing progressive reform upon society justifying it under a notion of “Christian Responsibility.” The Christian Left is still worming its way through society today, take Van Jones or the ministers that support OWS for an example.
The Christian Left does not value Liberty or personal sovereignty, just their misguided agenda. Unfortunately, we have lost many freedoms over the years due to their unrelenting influence, and generated generations engaged in mafia type activity… It is unfortunate that the Christian Right gets the blamed.
Report Post »KickinBack
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 12:45amThey may make them “healthier”
But the government will make them “taxier”
Report Post »Mtremblay
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 12:10amDouble edge sword. I say make them as long as they never use the word healthy alternative. Just charge more. I would buy them
Report Post »Mtremblay
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 12:13amYou know if they can do this, why cant they just remove all the nicotine?
Report Post »diablosho
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 12:25amBecause concentrated nicotine is poisonous (it’s an insecticide). One pack of cigarettes contains enough nicotine to KILL 3 adults (literally KILL them from poisoning). AND, concentrate nicotine will absorb through skin tissue/mucous membranes, and is soluble in water. Just BAD…any way you cut it!
Report Post »Gorp
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 12:28amIf they removed the nicotine there wouldn’t be any use to smoke them. Nicotine is the drug that’s in the cigarette that people smoke for in the first place.
And YES, cigarettes are bad for my health but it’s still my choice to smoke if I want. And I want…
Report Post »C-Delta Conductor
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 12:35amNicotine is only detrimental to one’s health according to the California Government. Need I say more.
Report Post »TXPilot
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 12:36amYes, but can these scientists figure out a way to make health food taste like something that’s really delicious and bad for you? I’d pay a fortune for a rice cake that tastes like a bacon cheese burger.
Report Post »Twobyfour
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 4:42amMtremblay: “You know if they can do this, why cant they just remove all the nicotine?”
Nicotine is NOT the super-baddie here, tar and other cyclical carbohydrate irritants are. In fact, nicotine has (in moderation) some decidedly positive effects in some cases (holds altzheimer at bay).
Report Post »Twobyfour
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 4:45amRice cakes healthy? On what planet?
(google paleo diet)
Report Post »Twobyfour
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 4:54amdiablosho: “Because concentrated nicotine is poisonous (it’s an insecticide). One pack of cigarettes contains enough nicotine to KILL 3 adults (literally KILL them from poisoning). AND, concentrate nicotine will absorb through skin tissue/mucous membranes, and is soluble in water. Just BAD…any way you cut it!”
Try drinking 2 gallons of healthy certified pure spring water at once. (OK, not seriously suggesting it, because you’d assume a room temperature, just providing an example to elucidate a point). Drink a glass of red wine and you’re likely to remove some free radicals from your system. Drink a gallon at once and you may not need to eat anymore, ever.
Report Post »smokie
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 8:08amTXPilot,
Put a hamburger, cheese and bacon on the ricecake.
I’ll take that fortune now.
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 12:09amSmoke them in the shower, thats the healthiest cigarette you can get. Make sure you get them good and wet before lighting.
Report Post »TXPilot
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 12:47am@DARMOK……lol, I apologize in advance, but after watching hours of Iowa Caucus coverage, and with my brain beginning to fry, it occurred to me that your phrase “Smoke them in the shower” sounds like the title for a gay porn flick…..
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 8:59amBoom chicka waa waa.
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