The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced that it will no longer depend on the Cambridge Filter Method to determine the tar and nicotine content of cigarettes, Reuters reported Nov. 26.

The FTC unanimously voted to rescind guidance first issued in 1966 that allowed cigarette companies to place statements on cigarette packages regarding tar and nicotine yields as calculated based on government research. According to the agency, the latest scientific data suggests that "the statements of tar and nicotine yields as measured by this test method are confusing at best, and are likely to mislead consumers."

FTC experts found that smokers tend to inhale more deeply when they smoked cigarettes with lower tar and nicotine content, rendering the figures meaningless.

Tobacco companies have used the FTC rule as a defense when accused of misleading consumers on the safety of low-tar and reduced-nicotine cigarettes, said Matthew Myers, president of the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids.

"When challenged, the tobacco companies tried to claim that they were only doing what the federal government allowed them to do," he said. "It took the FTC too long to act, but today's decision is an important decision to protect consumers."

Philip Morris USA said it is examining the FTC's new guidelines, saying in a statement that the company "has worked with the FTC on this topic for many years and remains committed to working with the FTC and other federal authorities to identify and adopt a standardized testing methodology that improves on the Cambridge Method."