Teenagers say slim cigarettes are “cool” and “classy”

More evidence that children and teenagers are influenced by the appearance of cigarettes has emerged from a small study in which 15 year olds described slim cigarettes as “cute, classy, and feminine” and perceived them to be weaker and less harmful than standard brands.

The findings, from a study published in the European Journal of Public Health,1 back up evidence from research published last month and involving 1000 children that showed that glitzy and glamorous cigarette packaging made children susceptible to taking up smoking.2

Cancer Research UK, which funded the latest study, is urging the public to support its …