title: Prevalence of the misuse of ultra-low-tar cigarettes by blocking filter vents.
abstract: Evidence from tar-stain patterns in 135 cigarette filters discarded in ashtrays in public areas of shopping malls was used to estimate the prevalence of behaviorally blocked air dilution vents in ultra-low-yield cigarettes. Nineteen per cent (+/- 4, standard errors of the mean) of the filters had been blocked extremely, 39 per cent (+/- 5 SEM) had been blocked to some degree, and 42 per cent (+/- 5 SEM) had not been blocked at all. Smokers, health practitioners, and researchers need to be warned of the risks of vent blocking.
authors: Clinical Institute, Addiction Research Foundation, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors: L T
authors: LT
authors: Kozlowski
authors: M A
authors: MA
authors: Pope
authors: J E
authors: JE
authors: Lux
mesh_terms: D001519:Behavior; D005374:Filtration; D006801:Humans; D009864:Ontario; D010947:Plants, Toxic; D012907:Smoking; D013638:Tars / Q000032:analysis; D014026:Nicotiana / Q000032:analysis; D014691:Ventilation
chemical_list: D013638:Tars