The Massachusetts Department of Public Health reports that, regardless of brand, the amount of nicotine that is actually delivered to the smoker’s lungs has increased significantly over the past 6 years.

Here are the high (low) points of the report.

• Overall, nicotine yields increased 10% from 1998 to 2004
• As of 2004, 93% of cigarette brands were rated high nicotine
• Marlboro, Newport, and Camel, the 3 most popular brands among young smokers, all delivered significantly more nicotine
• Kool, a popular menthol brand, increased 20% — more than two-thirds of African American smokers use menthol brands

The data were collected from reports submitted by all tobacco companies that sell cigarettes in Massachusetts, which is one of only three states in the country to require tobacco companies to submit this information annually.

9/1/06 21:21 JR