Section IV 
Overview of 1980 to 1994 Research 
Related to the Standard Federal Xrade 
Commission Xest IMethod for Cigarettes 
Michael D. Mueller 
INTRODUCTION This chapter provides an overview of the major studies related 
to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) test method for determining tar, 
nicotine, and carbon monoxide (CO) yields of cigarettes compared with 
yields experienced by smokers, with special reference to low-tar and low- 
nicotine cigarettes. Most of the studies reviewed here were published since 
1980; studies published prior to 1980 were extensively reviewed in the 1981 
Surgeon General's report (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 
1981). 
The apparent differences between stated yields, as measured by the 
FTC test method, found in cigarette advertising and on some cigarette packs 
and actual amounts received by smokers appear to be largely attributable to 
compensation behaviors related to nicotine and possibly other substances 
in cigarette smoke. For example, when smokers switch to low-tar and low- 
nicotine cigarettes, they tend to increase the volume of inhaled smoke per 
cigarette or increase the number of cigarettes smoked so as to maintain a 
steady-state level of nicotine in their blood. They may also increase the 
volume by changing their puffing behavior and increase yield by blocking 
ventilation holes in filters. 
Changes in puffing patterns can substantially alter tar and nicotine 
yields, as reported by Rickert and colleagues (1983), who investigated the 
impact of varying levels of butt length, puff duration, puff interval, puff 
volume, and blocking of ventilation holes. 
The differences in advertised tar and nicotine yields of cigarettes 
compared with the amounts received by smokers result largely from 
differences between the smoking parameters of the FTC test method and 
actual smoking behaviors. These differences can substantially alter the 
amounts of tobacco smoke constituents that smokers inhale. The FTC 
method was devised in 1967, and it is not clear whether these parameters 
were based on actual human smoking patterns and behavior. Furthermore, 
cigarettes have undergone substantial changes in design and content over 
the past 40 years. Also, much more is currently known about smoking 
behavior; pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics; and the measurement 
of tar, nicotine, CO, and other substances in cigarette smoke as well as in 
blood, plasma, urine, and expired air in smokers. 
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