Towards 'Safer' Cigarettes?

A study presented to the American Association for the Advancement of Science last month suggested treating cigarette filters with antioxidant compounds could reduce some of the harmful effects of smoking.

Smoking is known to promote the damage done to cells by 'free radicals', accelerating the ageing process and leading to the development of potentially fatal diseases. Antioxidant compounds, found naturally in many types of fruit and vegetable are known to limit the effect of free radical damage.

Dr Theodore Hirsch of the Emory University in Atlanta and President of Thione International Plc, which makes antioxidant products, believes treating cigarette smoke with antioxidants can help reduce damage to the mouth, throat, respiratory tract and lungs.

Researchers studied the effects of treated and untreated smoke on fibroblast cells under laboratory conditions. 95% of cells exposed to smoke treated with antioxidants were alive after 24 hours, compared to 60% of cells exposed to untreated smoke.

Tuesday, 12 March 2002