Teens consider slim ciggies 'safer'

Teenagers believe that slimline cigarettes are stylish, feminine and possibly safer than regular brands, researchers have claimed.

A focus group of 15-year-olds from Glasgow see thinner cigarettes as weaker, more palatable, and less harmful.

However, study authors said that some super-slim brands have more dangerous tobacco chemicals than their counterparts.

According to Cancer Research UK, teens were attracted to slim and super-slim cigarettes with white filters and decorative features, describing them as "classy" and "nicer."

In contrast long brown cigarettes were viewed by them as harmful and labelled as "disgusting", "really, really strong", and "old fashioned".

For their study, researchers had asked 48 teenage boys and girls about eight cigarette brands that differed in length, diameter, colour, and design.

The study found that teens believe that white tips and longer cigarettes portrayed a cleaner, feminine image reminiscent of glamorous female stars from old movies.

Cigarettes featuring white tips were also linked with menthol that was perceived as weaker and less harmful.

The study has been published in the European Journal of Public Health.