Thank goodness I never started smoking

Is anyone else not surprised to learn that nicotine levels in cigarettes have increased over the past six years? After all, it’s the nicotine that makes the habit so hard to kick and become so addictive in the first place.

One reason that this Massachusetts report is so interesting is that the machines used mimic the way most people actually smoke. In other studies, all the vent holes are left open and the “smoker” doesn’t smoke as rapidly as people actually do. In the Massachusetts test, the vent holes are partially covered, just like they would be when people hold a cigarette. Also, their machines puff a little faster—more like a smoker on a typical “smoking break”. The testing method used has remained the same throughout all six years. The cigarette manufacturers provide the sample cigs to a testing facility that reports the results to the state, so the results are unbiased (at least as unbiased as can probably be found in this heavily biased world).

One wonders why the tobacco companies are increasing nicotine levels, when the companies are paying (as required by laws in many states) to help educate about the dangers of smoking. Maybe the reason they are increasing the addictiveness of the cigarettes is to help maintain (or even increase) the number of smokers even as they officially advocate anti-smoking. (Isn’t that a bit like a serial murderer officially advocating pacifism?) Actually, one doesn’t have to wonder at all. One simply has to remember that big tobacco is bigger money. If it weren’t for all that money, cigarettes would be banned and stevia (a natural sweetener that does not affect blood sugar) would be the most popular sugar substitute instead of questionable artificial sweeteners. It all comes down to the money.