Majority of Americans Unaware of Chemicals in Cigarettes

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Majority of Americans Unaware of Chemicals in Cigarettes
August 13, 2007


The majority of Americans are not aware of the chemicals found in cigarettes and cigarette smoke, according to a national telephone survey conducted in March.
More than half of youths and adults reported that they knew a lot or a fair amount about the chemicals found in cigarettes and cigarette smoke. However, when asked to name a specific chemical (other than tar and nicotine) found in cigarettes and cigarette smoke, only 21% of youths and 29% of adults were able to do so.
Even when read a list of chemicals, few youths or adults said that they knew that they were found in cigarettes or cigarette smoke. For example, only 8% of youths and 6% of adults knew that polonium 210 (a radioactive element) was found in cigarette smoke.
There are more than 4,000 chemicals in cigarette smoke, including at least 69 that cause cancer.
For details, including data charts, source information and caveats, download the PDF file at www.cesar.umd.edu/cesar/cesarfax/vol16/16-30.pdf.
Reprinted from CESAR Fax, a weekly, one-page overview of timely substance abuse trends or issues, from The Center on Substance Abuse Research (CESAR) at the University of Maryland.