Study suggests cigarette makers increased nicotine

A study released last week by the Harvard School of Public Health suggests cigarette companies have intentionally increased nicotine levels in their cigarettes over the past seven years while trying to keep that information from public knowledge.

The study, based on data submitted to the Massachusetts Public Health Department by major cigarette manufacturers, showed an 11 percent increase of nicotine levels in every market category of cigarettes -- from menthols to ultra-lights -- over the past seven years.

Russet Morrow Breslau, media coordinator for Tobacco Free Massachusetts, said the study is evidence the tobacco industry is deliberately trying to keep smokers hooked.

"It's harder than ever to try to quit smoking," Breslau said, calling for more funding for prevention and programs that help smokers quit.

Hillel Alger, Harvard research analyst and co-author of the study, said despite aggressive advertising and public relations campaigns conducted by cigarette companies, people should know cigarettes have "potentially become more hazardous."

"Nicotine is a drug -- one of the most addictive that we know of -- and the cigarette should be regulated at least as much as any drug," he said.

A bill currently before Congress aimed at regulating tobacco products under stricter FDA guidelines "could be the single-most important first step to safeguard the public," he said.

Patrick Reynolds, president of Foundation For a Smoke-Free America, said the study provides greater motivation for the FDA to intervene in the tobacco industry.

"It's in the interest of the tobacco industry to keep its customers buying its product," he said, explaining the necessity for stricter government regulation.

Tobacco company Philip Morris, which is challenging the study's findings, maintains the nicotine levels for Marlboro cigarettes was the same in 2006 as it was in 1997.

The company's website attributed the study's findings to "random variations in cigarette nicotine yields, both upwards and downwards, [which] are not consistent in either direction across reporting years."

Spokesmen for the company, citing company policy, could not comment on the study beyond the company's posting.

Some smokers, however, said the news findings will not change their habits.

COM sophomore Alex Burnett, who calls himself a "social smoker," said he was not alarmed and would keep smoking.

"You can't really be angry at [cigarette makers]," he said, arguing it "makes sense" they would increase the amount of the most addictive ingredient in their product. "I don't expect cigarettes to be healthy, There are no delusions about it."