CDC Study Finds Higher Levels of Carcinogens in Some U.S. Cigarette Brands

Atlanta—Some cigarette brands manufactured and sold in the United States contain higher levels of cancer-causing chemicals compared to some foreign brands, according to a new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The research focused on tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs), which scientists have identified as major carcinogens present in tobacco products.

TSNAs form during the curing, fermentation, and aging of tobacco. The CDC study compared the levels of these chemicals in various U.S. cigarette brands versus brands from other countries.

The study's findings indicate differences in the levels of TSNA exposure among smokers, depending on the type of cigarettes they use. Researchers did not name the specific cigarette brands examined in the research.