They still insist nicotine is addictive. Dangerous, even. “They” claim more dangerous than heroin. That’s pretty drastic. Kind of scares me. Fine, dear reader, it doesn’t scare me. It scares the government enough, though, eh?
(Note: Updates are at the end!)
These are my questions, asked repeatedly over social media:
Is combustion reduced?
Will health benefits increase?
Are other ingredients reduced?
Will this cause more casual smokers?
Can you define “minimally” or “non-addictive”?
Is this nothing more than prescribing smoking?
What is being added to tobacco to reduce nicotine?
I’d like to sit down with “they” for a few hours, have some coffee. Discuss a few finer points of life in general, chat a bit, and tell them now they’re trying to convince everyone it’s the nicotine.
No one would want the public confused, would they?
Public misperception that very low nicotine cigarettes are less carcinogenic
(Same from NCBI :Examining risk perceptions among daily smokers naïve to reduced nicotine content cigarettes.)
Of the “thousands” of chemicals, nicotine is the addictive ingredient?
There is no data or science worth reading showing nicotine addiction without tobacco and MAOI’s.
It isn’t like it hasn’t been tried before in 1989:
The ultra-low-nicotine cigarette is the latest entry in an increasingly feverish race among tobacco manufacturers to stop a decline of 2 percent a year in cigarette consumption in the United States.
Tobacco industry executives say the process of removing nicotine that Philip Morris used to create the Merit Free is similar to the decaffeination process used on coffee beans.
”It’s a pretty common, patented process that we’re all aware of,” said Douglas Keeney, chairman of C. A. Blockers.
What happened before?
In 2008, bold is my emphasis:
In summary, a toxicological analysis does not indicate that low-nicotine and nicotine-free Quest® cigarettes have less adverse toxicological effects in the laboratory than conventional cigarettes. This should draw the attention of the consumers and policy makers.
Toxicological Analysis of Low-Nicotine and Nicotine-Free Cigarettes
I say it’s NOT the nicotine. Stimulant, like coffee I’ll agree with. Drug? Fine.
Addictive? No. I’ve covered that here.
You know that doesn’t matter!
Update: Nicotine is not addictive.
They’re not listening to us. They have tobacco fields to tend to!
____________________________________________________________
Are there other chemicals that cause addiction in tobacco?
MAIO’s?
Are There Other Chemicals That May Contribute to Tobacco Addiction?
The FDA says – and non-committal as it sounds, that it does not “appear to have significant potential for abuse or dependence….. ” (addiction).
So, to make my prediction, since the New England Journal of Medicine released this
Randomized Trial of Reduced-Nicotine Standards for Cigarettes
Aaaand – The National Institute on Drug Abuse released this:
New Study Shows Benefits of Reducing Nicotine in Cigarettes
(Took their time to create and then tweeted this state of the art graphic:)
Briefly – they mention towards the end of their “official” story:
(This is where they perpetuate their lie) –>Nicotine is responsible for the addictiveness of tobacco, but it is not the ingredient that causes cancer and heart and pulmonary diseases.
Smoking still causes nearly half a million deaths each year in our country. Research now suggests that reducing the nicotine in cigarettes to a fraction of its current levels may be one way to lessen the health-destructive power of these products.
Now, with all that, the media – because they do love a good story, I predict that this:
New ‘low-nicotine’ cigarette could help smokers kick habit
“It is our hope, that because that this is such an intrinsic health concern that we will be able to get this approved in a swift and fast process,” Gellman said.
The company will be working toward FDA approval by the end of 2016…… Huh.
I hate math, but let us do it quickly, shall we? I have a prediction to make!
Will lead to this:
Thank you, Jake Jacobson:
People will still smoke. People will try and use these, and someone in the professional health field will still say these are “safer”.
People will believe this is “safer”. Because they said so. Tobacco obviously isn’t the issue.
So, e-cigarettes are not safer? Huh.
Are. You. Stupid?
Update 5/25/16:
I’m a friggin’ mind reader. Predictions come true…
They don’t mind the tobacco.
22nd Century launches magic 0 very low nicotine cigarettes in France
“The U.S. Food and Drug Association (FDA) funded a landmark study that showed 22nd Century’s proprietary Very Low Nicotine cigarettes were “associated with reductions in smoking, nicotine exposure, and nicotine dependence, with minimal evidence of nicotine withdrawal, compensatory smoking, or serious adverse events.” See study here: Randomized Trial of Reduced-Nicotine Standards for Cigarettes.”
Updated 6/22/16:
The prediction is better than I though:
“…scientists with The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a detailed characterization of the Company’s SPECTRUM® Variable Nicotine Research Cigarettes, calling 22nd Century’s proprietary cigarettes an “important tool in clinical studies for investigating…
“the independent study was conducted by a prestigious team of 18 senior CDC scientists”
Added 01/06/2017
FDA sends feedbacks to an MRTP application for Very-Low Nicotine Cigarettes
And added 05/02/17
I can’t believe my eyes.
Quote:
The company’s cigarettes are part of an estimated $20 million FDA initiative to determine “the best method to quit smoking: an immediate reduction in nicotine to non-addictive levels vs. a gradual reduction in nicotine.”
The FDA said Monday it has nothing to share concerning the 22nd Century statement.
22nd Century gets FDA authorization for low-nicotine cigarette clinical trial
Well, I could be wrong…
Added 1/23/2017
Smokin’ 22nd Century (XXII) Will Get Crushed
Added 6/10/17
22nd Century Produces Non-GMO Very Low Nicotine Tobacco
And they wonder why Vapers have contempt toward government and health officials over e-cigarettes
Remember, Simon says: Quit or die.
Speaking of BAT in the UK: Now there’s a “safer” e-cigarette – because “scientists” developed it, it must be true.
From 2007, FDA Director Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach had quite a bit to say:
“We could find ourselves in the conundrum of having made a decision about nicotine only to have made the public health radically worse. And that is not the position FDA is in; we approve products that enhance health, not destroy it,” said von Eschenbach, a urologic surgeon and oncologist who was confirmed as FDA commissioner in December.
Later in the article:
“In an hourlong interview with AP reporters and editors, von Eschenbach repeatedly said the FDA doesn’t need more regulatory authority. When asked if the FDA needed more money, he suggested the agency needs to look at “enhancing our efficiencies, maximizing our outputs for the dollar invested on part of the American people.”
Here’s that article
FDA Chief: Tobacco Rules Could Backfire
Added 02/10/17
Reduced nicotine content cigarettes and use of alternative nicotine products: exploratory trial
Added 03/05/17
22nd Century Group (XXII) X-22 Smoking Cessation Aid Granted FDA Guidance Meeting
Added 04/25/17
Prescribing Smoking:
Added 9/17
— Jukka Kelovuori (@jkelovuori) September 4, 2017
Um… they’re PRESCRIBING smoking.
X-22 is the first and only smoking cessation product in the form of a combustible cigarette.
X-22 is a six-week prescription treatment which utilizes Very Low Nicotine (VLN) cigarettes (95% less nicotine than conventional cigarettes) to satisfy a smoker’s craving for cigarettes while separating the act of smoking from the rapid delivery of nicotine.
X-22 Smoking Cessation Aid In Development
Bold and red are my emphasis disbelief.
Red Sun
This is its American brand sold in more than 600 stores. It is a high nicotine cigarette. It might seem counterintuitive, especially given the health benefits claimed by its very low nicotine cigarettes, but high nicotine cigarettes could have significant health benefits as well.
X-22 has certain advantages:
-
It’s a cigarette, people seem to prefer that
-
It has no side effects, apart from the harmful effects of cigarette smoke
-
It has been proved effective in six clinical trials
22nd Century’s Unique Cigarettes Create Growth Opportunities
This is coming.
____________________________________________________________
Added 9/7/17
Brad Rodu said this in 2010:
Down the Rabbit Hole: Tobacco Control Through Radical Nicotine Reduction
Here’s what Clive Bates has to say about
Reducing the nicotine content to make cigarettes less addictive
Are there other chemicals that cause addiction in tobacco?
MAIO’s?
Are There Other Chemicals That May Contribute to Tobacco Addiction?
Added 09/25/2017:
You still don’t believe this is happening? The U.S. Government invested $100+ million to keep people smoking.
Agencies of the U.S. federal government have invested more than $100 million:
22nd Century Now Free of Restrictive License Agreement with British American Tobacco
Selling snowballs to Eskimos.
Added 01/05/18
Bold and red are my emphasis disbelief.
The FDA together with other agencies of the U.S. government have invested over $100 million in several independent medical studies which have shown the health benefits of the company’s proprietary tobacco cigarettes.
Dr. Dorothy Hatsukami a principal investigator in the trial has publicly indicated that an immediate reduction in consumption of nicotine is “most likely to lead to less harm.”
22nd Century Group Inc (NYSEAMERICAN:XXII) Ships 2.4 Million SPECTRUM® Cigarettes for the National Institute on Drug Abuse
Added 01/31/2018
The crimes continue… press release is to settle investors minds, in my opinion.
Cancer Action Network, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and the Truth Initiative co-authored a letter to Dr. Gottlieb and the FDA
FDA Remains Firmly Committed to Nicotine Reduction in Cigarettes
Added 02/01/2018
Related via Carl V. Phillips
“There is no reason to believe that lowering the nicotine content of cigarettes will lower their carcinogenicity.”
Are Low-Nicotine Cigarettes Less Likely To Cause Cancer?
Added 02/02/2018
Investors are questioning integrity:
22nd Century – Cutting Through The Smoke And Hype – 75% Downside
Added 03/03/2018
Neal Benowitz himself said: (bold is my emphasis)
1. Smokers regulate their intake of nicotine to obtain the amount of nicotine that they need to sustain their addiction.
2. Spontaneous brand-switching studies suggest that there is no reduction in smoke intake per cigarette, and that any reductions that are seen in brand switchers depend upon whether or not those individuals also reduce their cigarette consumption.
3. Studies of smokers smoking self-selected brands showed a weak relationship between machine-measured nicotine yield and a smoker’s nicotine, CO, or thiocyanate exposure.
4. Considering the overall exposure data for individuals selecting their own brands, there is little reason to expect that smokers of low-yield cigarettes will have a lower risk of disease than those who smoke higher yield cigarettes.
That’s all here in
“Compensatory Smoking of Low Yield Cigarettes”
Added 03/05/2018
Paul also covered this here:
Harm Reduction, Removing the Least Harmful Component
Added 6/21//2018
22nd Century isn’t the “only” one:
Radient Technologies Inc. Files FDA Submission for Reducing Nicotine in Tobacco
Added 7/12/18
From Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller:
Tobacco Product Standard for Nicotine Level of Combusted Cigarettes
Added 7/30/2018:
Minimally or “non-addictive” nicotine
Let me remind you of the accolades of lower nicotine:
Cliff Douglass of the American Cancer Society – thinks lower nicotine in cigarettes is “Absolutely everything”
NCI Director Ned Sharpless says “…good news for treating cancer and preventing cancer”
FDA’s Scott Gottlieb claims “Lower nicotine in the same product”
Matt Myers of Tobacco-Free Kids says “…to use products that won’t kill them”
Basing “minimally or non-addictive” levels of nicotine by lowering cigarette consumption by 1.6 less cigarettes… over two years… is a public health win? Here’s what they came up with after two years:
238 “non-daily” smokers… what?
over the course of two years...
lowered their smoking by 1.6 cigarettes…
“real-time reporting” and “cigarette butt counts.”
No – to slow progress… is this is what the Food and Drug Administration likes?
One of my favorite subjects – covered here and here…
This headline calls it “staggering“.
You can check my math here:
Nondaily Smokers’ Changes in Cigarette Consumption With Very Low-Nicotine-Content Cigarettes
Added 8/09/18:
From a twitter exchange:
Project 2: Strategies for Reducing Nicotine Content in Cigarettes
Added 3/04/2019:
15 to 19 year-olds are being “tested”:
Evaluation of Very Low Nicotine Content Cigarettes in Adolescent Smokers
Added 2/23/2020:
Bold is my emphasis:
Lavery said the FDA “is careful not to reveal its thinking on any potential future actions it may take.”
“But we came away from this meeting with a view that a low-nicotine product standard may be less likely to have scientific support to show that it would be appropriate for the protection of public health.”
22nd Century’s FDA hearing results draw eye-of-beholder responses
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Kevin
This is such TOTAL bullshit – nicotine is probably the LEAST harmful & addictive chemical in cigarettes! The MAOIs are FAR more addictive — I’ve reduced from 10mg to 3mg over about 9 months and barely even noticed, but it took 15 very difficult months to wean off WTA – without which, I couldn’t have quit smoking at all. Low- or No-nicotine cigarettes are ALL the danger & addictiveness of cigarettes – because of those MAOIs – because I’m quite sure the STUPID deeming regs will mean the end of WTA.
Exactly – Maois & all the added chemicals are far more dangerous in my opinion. Nicotine – is not addictive without tobacco… Can’t find anything saying it is. 🙂 We’ll keep fighting!
Nicotine has been the Greatest Farce Ever at first when Big T needed to find a way to make Smoking Addictive to see more Life Time Customers until called out before US Senate Sub Committee hearings 7 CEOs had to attend and account for Tall Tales, Big Lies and then media only coming out with Big T called out for “SPIKING NICOTINE LEVELS” When in fact the tobacco companies Developed Chemical Stews to introduce those scores of chemical elements that were intended to Enhance the Endorphin effect also seen with Caffeine as well as Nicotine! The strongest hold besides Hand to Mouth Repetition is the Experience and often Sensation and flavoring!
For me a severe Allergy Sufferer it was never about nicotine besides the days when you could light up in Disco clubs along with the Michelob or Heinenkein beer sitting next to you and that was the common place repore?! That Menthol which Relieved the constant runny nose and sneezing especially during Dandelion breakout in June as well as Dust and Molds and some other less reactive elements eventually that 3 pack a day or should I say Night Shift 6 days a week with Long breaks over 35+yrs was to see me eventually to just under a half pack a day while still looking to find out about what? Having come across the terms “Smokeless” and “Electronic” cigarettes back in about 2003-04 I wanted to learn more for times when I was around NON SMOKERS but still had an allergy attack and not wanting to waste money on Seldane that cost twice as much even more when able to get cartons of smoke back then at Wholesale Clubs! Cheaper then your gas station or convenience stores for sure! It was when Someone else a 4 a day smoker was quitting in late 2012 I finally ran into the conversation on how to go about finding those first Ecigs! and within Months not only were the Smokie Stench Bombs Gone For Good But the nicotine level was dropped from 22mg to 0% without ANY WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS!!!
In other words that “Spiking of Nicotine Levels” Hogwash broadcast by media was picked up by BIG PHARMA Who Saw How To Capitalize on The BS Reporting to introduce new lines of Half Wit almost utterly useless but Profit Making product lines! Are we on the same page now?
Youre an idiot. Completely neglected the massive reduction of cancer causing factors in their tobacco as well
That’s the point, they’re reducing nicotine only, not the tobacco. I haven’t seen where they’re reducing anything with the tobacco (other than chemically altering the nicotine content).
While I’m not privy to information on manufacturing of the product, they’re leaving the tobacco and all the other cancer-causing harm in them. If you have a link showing they’re doing that as well, I’ll gladly update and address it in this blog.
It isn’t the stuff that can cause serious illness and death from cancer, lung, and heart disease. Those culprits are the tar and toxic gases that are released from burning tobacco when you smoke. Nicotine is a chemical that is dangerous not because it causes cancer but because it can addict you to cigarettes.