If advertising is to be believed, in 1954, the American Medical Association ran a test comparing filtered cigarettes
They made seemingly well reasoned arguments: they have other means to effect change, their investment portfolios aren't so large as to influence the markets, and there may be hypocrisy in relying on fossil fuels to operate while de-investing
For women, smoking was largely considered socially unacceptable at that time
References [edit] "JTI - Our product range - Cigarette Brands: Winston, Camel, Mild Seven, Silk Cut & LD"
In addition, nicotine itself, while not a direct carcinogen, has been shown to promote oxidative stress and inflammation, which can contribute to respiratory dysfunction and airway remodelling 57
Together with endogenously released ROS by inflammatory and lung structural cells as a result of tissue inflammation, the increased burden of oxidants in the lung contributes to the oxidative damage of lipids, proteins, and DNA in the lung