65 



gerous than what is occurring naturally that I know about in ciga- 

 rettes. 



Yes, I understand the focus on any additives, but I can't think 

 of any substances more dangerous than what is occurring there 

 naturally. 



I think you also. Congressman, need to look, and I think one of 

 the questions that requires evaluation is, what about manipulation 

 of natural ingredients? Because in the end, natural ingredients 

 could be — certainly in cigarettes there are very few things that are 

 more toxic. 



Mr. Wyden. You make a good point. What I am concerned about 

 is this pattern of secrecy and pattern of nondisclosure, and I am 

 going to push to make this list public. 



Over the years, the tobacco industry has spent substantial sums, 

 millions, to fund research to dispute the kinds of health risk claims 

 that you are making today. Are you aware of research done by the 

 tobacco industry that disputes your claims, and what is your opin- 

 ion of the quality of tobacco industry research, again in a general 

 sort of way? 



Mr. Kessler. Congressman, I referred to the chairman about two 

 studies that were undertaken that were not published. Dr. 

 Henningfield, who saw the paper that indicated that nicotine is a 

 positive reinforcer, thought — I don't want to speak for you, Jack. 

 Our understanding is that those papers were accepted by a pres- 

 tigious, independent journal. They were never published, unfortu- 

 nately. It is very hard to comment broadly. 



There is — ^Andrew, do you have the chart on the myths about to- 

 bacco? There are some myths. Congressman. And I just think, 

 again, everyone needs to understand that these are m3rths. 



One, tobacco is not dangerous; two, nicotine is not addictive; 

 three, people who smoke low-nicotine cigarettes get less nicotine 

 than people who smoke high-nicotine cigarettes. That a cigarette is 

 natural tobacco rolled in a paper sleeve. Smokers know what they 

 are smoking. Those are mj^hs about tobacco. I can go on, but you 

 can read the list. 



Mr. Wyden. Let me just wrap up with some questions that were 

 asked in the press recently that I think really summarize it for me. 



You have said that nicotine h^s been deliberately added to to- 

 bacco products; have you not? 



Mr. Kessler. Congressman Bliley has talked about tobacco ex- 

 tract. He has talked about other processes. The issue before us is 

 the significance of whatever tobacco is in there. I don't think any- 

 one is disputing the fact that tobacco extract is used. We have seen 

 it sold. Tobacco extract has nicotine, and it is being used. 



Mr. Wyden. Let me finish just with this, then. 



So nicotine is being deliberately added, and it is being added, in 

 your opinion, at levels that are known to be addictive; isn't that 

 correct? 



Mr. Kessler. The issue for the Agency is the control and manip- 

 ulation of the nicotine level. I think that needs to be reiterated and 

 reiterated, over and over again. The issue is whether the levels of 

 nicotine — either added from tobacco extract or other means, or nat- 

 urally — are being manipulated to sustain an addiction. That level 

 that we see in cigarettes is in excess of the addictive level. 



