Hong Kong - Low-tar cigarettes can be just as harmful as stronger cigarettes, according to a study released Monday by the Hong Kong government. Government scientists said they had examined 95 brands of cigarettes and also studied the smoking habits of the people who bought them.
They concluded that while some brands contained less nicotine and tar, smokers often compensated by taking deeper drags and smoking more frequently, cancelling out the health benefit.
A Department of Health spokesman said the survey showed that low-tar cigarettes were "not necessarily less harmful and the best way to protect health is to quit smoking."
"When smokers choose low-tar cigarettes instead of cigarettes in the middle-tar or high-tar groups, they may take larger and more frequent puffs or even smoke more cigarettes each day.
"Quitting smoking is the only way to reduce a smoker's risk of developing heart diseases and cancers," the spokesman said.
Hong Kong banned smoking in all offices, public places, pubs and restaurants from January 1. The former British colony, with Singapore, has one of Asia's lowest smoking levels.
