New law changes cigarette packaging

Iowa public health experts say new federal regulations will change cigarette packaging.

The Iowa Department of Public Health says starting Tuesday words such as "light," "mild" and "low-tar" will be banned from describing cigarettes on packaging. The department says the regulation was enacted because the terms can "mislead consumers into thinking certain types of cigarettes are safer."

Bonnie Mapes is a director for the department's Tobacco Use Prevention and Control division. Mapes says consumers might notice packaging color and design changes too. She says regardless, "there's just no such thing as a safe cigarette."