Source: Standard-Times (MA) Contact: http://www.s-t.com/ Pubdate: Thu, 16 Apr 1998 Author: Martin Finucane, Associated Press Writer Young men smoke more cigars BOSTON -- Young men in Massachusetts, apparently swayed by glamorous images of cigar-smoking supermodels and movie tough guys, are lighting up cigars in increasing numbers, state public health officials said yesterday. The Department of Public Health reported that cigar smoking among men 18 to 24 has increased nearly tenfold during the past four years. Cigar smoking among men 25 to 44 has doubled during that same time. The statistics were released as health officials announced plans to require warning labels on cigars that detail each cigar's level of nicotine, carbon monoxide and tar. The state of California already requires a warning. The Massachusetts proposal to have a warning plus information on levels of nicotine and other substances is a first in the nation, officials said. Contrary to some people's belief, "cigars are not a safe alternative to cigarettes," said Public Health Commissioner Howard Koh. Norman Sharp, president of the Cigar Association of America, which represents cigar manufacturers and importers, said that more than 96 percent of cigars sold in the United States already carry the California warning label. "When more states mandate their own individual warning requirements it makes it impossible for manufacturers to conduct business. There's serious interstate commerce concerns," he said. He also questioned whether there were any accepted testing procedures that produce "consistent, reliable and reproducible results that give any useful information to a consumer." The department is to hold hearings in May and decide on the labeling regulations by the end of the summer. The regulations, which don't need legislative approval, could be in effect by year's end. Attorney General Scott Harshbarger earlier this month announced a separate regulatory effort under the state's consumer protection law to require warning labels on cigars. The health department's surveys found cigar smoking among Massachusetts men 18 to 24 increasing from 3.9 percent in 1993 to 35.2 percent in 1997. Among men 25 to 44, cigar smoking doubled from 8.7 percent to 16.5 percent. More than 55 percent of men 18 to 24 reported having at least tried a cigar in the past year. Overall, the percentage of men smoking cigars rose from 7.5 percent in 1993 to 11.9 percent in 1997. Only 1 percent of women smoked cigars in 1993 and that number remained about the same, 0.9 percent, in 1997. Anti-tobacco activists say the rise can be blamed on images of cigar smoking in the media. In one film survey by the American Lung Association actors lighted cigars in 51 of 133 movies with a box office draw of more than 5 million. Federal regulators are also looking into whether there is a need for federally mandated warning labels. The National Cancer Institute issued a study Friday contending that smoking cigars can be just as deadly as smoking cigarettes. The report said cigar smokers may inhale less smoke than cigarette smokers, but cigars contain up to 90 times as much of some carcinogenic elements as cigarettes. Efforts to crack down on cigar smoking come as the state defends its cigarette ingredient disclosure law in court. The state is also suing the industry for the cost of treating smoking-related illnesses.