An American actor has become the fifth former “Marlboro Man” from the long running series of cigarette advertisements to die from a smoking related disease.

Eric Lawson, who portrayed the rugged cowboy character in magazines during the late 1970s and early 1980s, died from a lung condition at his home in San Luis Obispo, California. He was 72.

Mr Lawson, who started smoking when he was 14, suffered respiratory failure due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to his wife, Susan.

At least four other stars of the acclaimed series of commercials, which styled filtered cigarettes as masculine accessories from 1954 to 1999, also succumbed to illnesses linked to smoking.

In October 1987, David Millar, one of the first Marlboro Men on television screens in the 1950s, died from emphysema at 81 at a hospital near his home in New Hampshire.

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Almost five years later, Wayne McLaren died at 51, after a long struggle with lung cancer. In his final years he used his status as a former Marlboro Man to mount a high profile lawsuit against Philip Morris, which manufactures Marlboros, and warn the public about smoking s health risks.

“Tobacco will kill you, and I am living proof of it,” were some of his last words, his mother said shortly after his death in California.

David McLean and Richard Hammer, both 1970s Marlboro Men, died from lung cancer in California in 1995 and 1999 respectively, according to the Internet Movie Database. Mr McLean, who was 73 when he died, reportedly smoked five packets a day at one stage. Mr Hammer died aged 69.

Philip Morris has stressed that the character was played by dozens of actors and real life cowboys during the 45 year advertising campaign.

Like Mr McLaren, Mr Lawson criticised smoking later in his career. He appeared in a commercial that parodied Marlboro Man, and discussed on American television the negative effects of smoking.

However, his wife conceded that he was addicted even then. “He knew the cigarettes had a hold on him,” she said. “He knew, yet he still couldn t stop.” Mr Lawson is survived by six children, 18 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

E-cigarette: what nicotine strength do i require?

Notes from the field: electronic cigarette use among middle and high school students – united states, 2011-2012

When a first time e cigarette user is ordering their new starter kit, the most common question is “What strength of nicotine do I choose?”

This all depends on the user. People react differently to nicotine levels. Heavy smokers might not like high levels of nicotine, and light smokers might want higher levels to satisfy cravings this all depends on the individual.

When choosing your nicotine strength, it is recommended to try a couple of different strengths before committing to one. Nicotine strength is based on the amount of nicotine per milliliter. EverSmoke e cigaerettes offers four different nicotine strengths

  • Full Flavored (18 mg of nicotine)

  • Light (12 mg of nicotine)

  • Ultra Light (6 mg of nicotine)

  • No Nicotine cartridge ( for those who still need the sensation of a cigarette but don t want the addictive nicotine)

Traditional cigarette smokers who are used to smoking Marlboro Red for example will most likely enjoy a Full Flavored nicotine cartridge of 18mg.

Smokers who enjoy smoking Marlboro Lights tend to fall in the category of a light smoker and use a light strength (12 mg) cartridge.

Light or casual smokers, who traditionally smoke Marlboro Ultra Light, would tend to choose EverSmoke s Ultra Light cartridges containing 6mg of nicotine.

Then there are the customers who either enjoy the act of smoking and have weaned themselves off of nicotine, or just enjoy the taste of tobacco, or one of the many e cigarette liquid flavors out there. These customers would purchase a No Nicotine cartridge, which contain no nicotine at all.

When smoking an e cigarette, there are a few things to keep in mind.

First is the difference between traditional and e cigarettes. Your new e cigarette is not going to taste identical to the traditional cigarette you have been smoking for years. If you were used to smoking Marlboro Reds, but are trying to wean off of nicotine all together, you should start off with Full Flavored and work to lower your nicotine dosage from there. A new electronic cigarette user should remember that you can always go down in nicotine strength.

EverSmoke offers cartridges in 10 different flavors. The cartridges come in Classic Tobacco, Royal Tobacco, Golden Tobacco, Pi&ntilde a Colada, Peach Passion, Coffee Creation, Peppermint Party, Very Vanilla, Cool Menthol and Cherry Crush.

An EverSmoke cartridge is equivalent to one and a half packs of cigarettes, equal to about 300 500 puffs, depending on the user.

Each of these flavors is available in a variety of nicotine strengths.

So pick one and give it a try. Remember, you can adjust the nicotine strength to find the right type of cartridge for your needs.