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March 25, 1994 Page 5 



Nicotine Absorption and Basic Cigarette Design 



Nicotine from tobacco products is absorbed in the mouth in 

 the case of moist snuff, chewing tobacco, and cigar smoke, while 

 nicotine is absorbed from the lungs in the case of cigarettes 

 {Gori, 1986; USDHHS, 1988) . The reason for this is a major 

 difference in the degree of acidity or alkalinity, or pH, of the 

 nicotine found in these various products. Nicotine at an 

 alkaline pH is readily absorbed in the mouth while it is not 

 absorbed there at all if the pH is acidic. Cigarette smoke is 

 acidic while most other tobacco products present nicotine in 

 alkaline form to the oral membranes. Alkaline nicotine is harsh 

 and irritating to the throat (Faitelowitz, 1930; USDHHS, 1988), 

 so it is hard and unpleasant to inhale cigar smoke. The acidic 

 smoke from a cigarette is readily inhaled, however. In fact, 

 unless cigarette smoke is inhaled, nicotine is not absorbed 

 (Gori, 1986) . 



With inhalation, acidic nicotine is absorbed and transported 

 to the brain far more rapidly and at higher concentration than 

 alkaline nicotine absorbed in the mouth (Henningf ield et al, 

 1990) . The difference is like the difference between crack 

 cocaine, which is smoked by inhalation, and powdered cocaine, 

 which is sniffed into the nose. The former is more potent mg for 

 mg and gives a more intense experience. It is also more 

 addictive. 



The cigarette is the most efficient nicotine delivery device 

 on the market today {USDHHS, 1988) . Its complex balance of 



