Tobacco firms 'should reveal nicotine levels' (fwd)

[Robert Weissman <rob@essential.org>]

Tobacco firms 'should reveal nicotine levels' NEW ZEALAND; Source: The
Press, Monday, 8/30/99


WELLINGTON -- Tobacco firms should be forced to reveal what brands of
cigarettes have high levels of nicotine, and what sweeteners are used to
lure teenagers to smoke.

That is the view in a study on smoking in the New Zealand Medical Journal,
released yesterday, which shows that smoking among 14 and 15-year-olds
increased 27 per cent between 1992 and 1997.

Public health physician Murray Laugesen and community health lecturer
Robert Scragg, who headed the study, recommended the introduction of a law
requiring manufacturers to disclose changes in ingredients to popular
youth brands, and a gradual reduction in nicotine levels.

Licorice added 'for better taste'

Smokefree Coalition director Barbara Langford said tobacco firms had to
tell the Ministry of Health what additives they put in cigarettes but did
not have to say what went into each brand.

Licorice and molasses were commonly added to cigarettes to make them taste
nicer, she said.

The study said the availability of cigarettes in packets of 10 might have
influenced the rise in teen smoking.

Three brands of cigarettes were sold in 10-size packets in 1992, rising to
13 brands in that size in 1997.

Of those brands, Holiday 10s were the most popular among 14 and
15-year-olds, and were also the cheapest on the market.

Packets of 10 cigarettes were banned from sale last year.

The study's authors also blamed the rise on more actors smoking on the big
screen.

"In popular American films between 1991 and 1996, 80 per cent of male and
27 per cent of female leads smoked."  --NZPA