| ■ Nicotine Levels Increase in U.S. Cigarettes | 06.09.01 |
| Nicotine levels in U.S. cigarettes have increased about 10 percent since 1998, making it easier for people to get addicted and harder for smokers to quit, according to a Massachusetts Department of Health report released Tuesday. Of the 179 cigarette brands tested in 2004 for the report, 93 percent were in the highest range for nicotine, compared to 84 percent of 116 brands tested in 1998, the Associated Press reported. The three brands most popular with young people -- Camel, Marlboro and Newport -- contained much more nicotine in 2004 than they did years ago. The study also found that nicotine levels in Kool, a popular menthol cigarette, increased 20 percent from 1998 to 2004. There's not much point in turning to "light" cigarette brands to reduce nicotine intake, the report said. It found no significant difference in total nicotine content between "full flavor," "medium," "light" or "ultra-light" cigarettes, the AP reported. The results indicate that health-care providers trying to help people quit smoking need to adjust the strength of nicotine-replacement therapies, said Sally Fogerty, associate commissioner with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. The state is one of three that require cigarette makers to submit information about nicotine levels in their products. Massachusetts is the only state with nicotine data going back to 1998. ----- YahooHealth |