Tobacco.org

• Anti-smoking chief wants nicotine stubbed out 

The chairman of the Israel Council for the Prevention of Smoking has recommended that nicotine - which is the main component that makes cigarettes addictive - be eliminated from cigarettes completely.

Amos Hausner, the country's leading advocate for smoking prevention, was commenting to The Jerusalem Post on a report released Wednesday by the Massachusetts health department that the level of nicotine that smokers consume per cigarette, regardless of brand, has risen 10 percent in the past six years. Higher nicotine levels make it harder for smokers to kick the habit and easier for new smokers - especially children and teenagers - to become addicted. . . .

"Why force the consumer to buy a package with an inseparable mix of lethal toxins and a highly addictive drug called nicotine, when the consumer has no ability to remove the addictive component?" Hausner said, adding that tobacco company documents show that for 35 years, they have had the capability of completely eliminating nicotine from tobacco compounds.

"Manufacturers should be required to separate these two so that those who are already addicted can take nicotine in the form of sprays, chewing gum and patches rather than together with the deadly components in cigarettes. Those who haven't started to smoke will not be forced to become addicted when they succumb to powerful tobacco advertisements and marketing techniques. Nicotine is regarded by the US Department of Health and Human Services to be as addictive as heroin and cocaine," he said.

The Jerusalem lawyer quoted the Clalit Health Services lawsuit - in which he represents the health fund against major tobacco companies seeking a reimbursement of NIS 7.6 billion for its smoking members - that many cigarette additives such as sugar, chocolate, licorice and vanilla are mixed into the tobacco to cover up the bitter taste of nicotine.

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