Super Slim Cigarettes

Key messages

• The smoke from super slim cigarettes contains the same toxic chemicals as other Canadian cigarettes.
• Some emissions from the super slim cigarettes may be lower than those from other Canadian cigarettes, when smoked on a smoking machine, but super slim cigarettes deliver higher levels of formaldehyde, phenols and ammonia.
• Super slim cigarettes deliver about the same amount of nicotine as other Canadian cigarettes, when smoked on a smoking machine.
• As with other cigarettes available in the Canadian market, the smoke from super slim cigarettes can cause toxic effects.

Background

Super slim cigarettes have been sold in Canada since 2007. They are sold under names such as "Super Slim" and "Ultra Slim"and are allegedly marketed to female smokers.^{Footnote 1} ,^{Footnote 2}  Because they are noticeably slimmer than other Canadian cigarettes, consumers may not see them as being as harmful.^{Footnote 3} 

Comparison with other Canadian cigarettes

Health Canada analyzed the physical properties and mainstream smoke emissions of super slim cigarettes and compared them to others available in the Canadian market.^{Footnote 4} The toxicity of mainstream emissions from super slim cigarettes was also assessed using in vitro (cell-based) toxicity methods.^{Footnote 5} ,^{Footnote 6} ,^{Footnote 7} 

Conclusion

Some of the toxic emissions from super slim cigarettes may be lower than those from other Canadian cigarettes. But there are much higher emissions of some toxic chemicals from super slim cigarettes, including formaldehyde, a known human carcinogen.^{Footnote 8} Super slim cigarette also delivered about the same level of nicotine as other Canadian cigarettes.

A reduction in emissions at the individual cigarette level does not imply a reduction in harm or risk to health. No changes in emission levels have been shown to reduce exposure or risk in a meaningful way or to have any impact on the harm to individual tobacco users and at the population level. Health Canada considers that smoking super slim cigarettes, like smoking other cigarettes sold in Canada, can cause harmful health effects.

Glossary of Terms

Metabolism

The whole range of biochemical processes that occur within an organism. Metabolism consists of build-up and breakdown of substances.

Metabolite

The substance, or product, resulting from a metabolic process.

Specific

Related in application, or effect, to a particular chemical, structure, or process.

Toxicant

Artificially produced poison or poisonous substance.

Uptake

Absorption and incorporation of a substance by live tissue.

Footnotes