A reduced wattage gas discharge lamp and method of making same. The gas discharge lamp includes a light transmissive envelope with an inner surface, having a light scattering reflective layer disposed thereon. A phosphor layer is coated on an inner surface of the light scattering reflective layer. A discharge-sustaining gaseous mixture is retained inside the light-transmissive envelope. The discharge-sustaining gaseous mixture includes at least 88% argon, by volume, at a low pressure. An electrode is located within the light-transmissive envelope. The electrode is capable of providing an electric discharge to trigger a reaction within the light-transmissive envelope to cause the lamp to emit light. The remainder of the discharge-sustaining gaseous mixture is substantially neon, at a low pressure. The low pressure is about 3.6 Torr.