Claims of Reduced Odor on Tobacco Packs in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

INTRODUCTION: Cigarettes designed to have less smoke smell were developed by the tobacco industry to supposedly reduce negative qualities. Cigarettes with marketing claims communicating these designs have been sold in high-income countries and marketing of "less smoke smell" terms on cigarette packaging can promote cigarette use. It is unclear to what extent they have been marketed in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). AIMS AND METHODS: The Tobacco Pack Surveillance System (TPackSS) systemically collected tobacco packs available in 14 LMICs with high tobacco use between 2013 and 2017. We coded 4354 packs for marketing appeals, including claims related to smoke smell. We describe "less smoke smell" and similar claims found on these packs and compare across country and tobacco manufacturers. RESULTS:…