“Lights” Go Up in Smoke

Cigarettes get colorful new names

New regulations mean cigarettes are getting colorful names.

The change comes after the FDA banned companies from using words like “light,” “mild” or “medium” on packs. The FDA says that labels such as “light” lead consumers to think that the cigarettes are not as bad for their health as “full-flavor” cigarettes.

Colors such as gold, silver and blue will replace the labels on more than half of all cigarettes sold. So choosing your next pack may lead to some colorful confusion.

Anti-tobacco groups say the colors will be just as bad as the old labels. Cigarette makers, however, say they have a right to let their customers know what to expect from the products they are buying and that the labels are simply referring to the taste of the cigarette, not the health risks.

The old names should be out of stores by the end of June.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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