Nicotine Levels in Cigarettes Rising

Nicotine levels in cigarettes rose 11% from 1998 to 2005, according to a Harvard School of Public Health analysis.

Nicotine is the main addictive ingredient in cigarettes.

The Harvard analysis confirms an earlier report by Massachusetts health officials.

Tobacco industry officials deny there has been a deliberate attempt to manipulate nicotine levels in cigarettes, saying the nicotine in tobacco products fluctuates randomly from year to year.

But the lead author of the Harvard study says the upward trend cannot be explained by random market fluctuations.

"We do agree that there are fluctuations from year to year," Gregory Connolly, DMD, MPH, tells. "But when we plotted those fluctuations out, there was a significant increase in nicotine levels on the order of 1.6% per year, or 11% over a seven-year period."

Expanded Analysis

The report was based on data provided by cigarette manufacturers to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Based on an analysis of the data from 1998 to 2004, Massachusetts health officials reported an upward trend in nicotine levels in cigarettes last August.

That report was strongly criticized by tobacco industry leader Philip Morris USA.

In a news release, company officials argued that the failure to include data from 1997 and 2005 in the original report influenced the findings.

The new analysis, with includes those years, was conducted, in part, to address the criticism, Connolly says.

The Harvard findings confirm a statistically significant upward trend in nicotine levels, as measured in cigarette smoke, between 1997 and 2005.

The increase was seen in all major cigarette types -- including full flavor, light, medium, and ultralight -- and in both mentholated and non-mentholated brands.


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