597 



The amount of nicotine contributed to tobacco smoke by way of 

 tobacco flavorants and denatured alcohol, is so miniscule that it 

 cannot be measured in tobacco smoke, using the FTC's standard 

 methods. Moreover, as I noted, the nicotine content of cigarettes, 

 manufactured by Liggett, is lower than the nicotine in the unproc- 

 essed tobacco that we use to make our product. 



Therefore, Liggett, like the rest of us, does not manipulate or 

 spike the amount of nicotine during the manufacture of its ciga- 

 rettes to achieve an alleged addicting level of nicotine. Specifically, 

 Liggett does not and has not used any of the patented processes 

 described in those patents referred to in Dr. Kessler's earlier testi- 

 mony. 



Liggett does not believe that there is any such thing as an ad- 

 dicting level of nicotine in cigarettes, or that cigarettes are addict- 

 ive like heroine or cocaine, as has been alleged. In fact, to equate 

 cigarette smoking with actual hard drug addiction ignores the sig- 

 nificant differences between them. It also blinks at reality. 



As has been mentioned, there have been over 40 million Ameri- 

 cans who have chosen to quit smoking. And more than half of all 

 adult smokers have quit, 90 percent of them quitting without the 

 aid of the Betty Ford Clinic, or the Hazelton Clinic, or any other 

 such clinic. It's thus apparent that irrespective of the nicotine in 

 cigarettes, consumers can and do choose to quit. 



Consumers also express their personal preference by choosing 

 from a wide variety of cigarette brands and styles on the market 

 that have different "tar" and nicotine yields. To meet the demands 

 of the marketplace, Liggett produces a variety of cigarette brands 

 with a variety of "tar" and nicotine yields. For more than 20 years, 

 cigarette advertising has carried the nicotine yield of each cigarette 

 brand and style as measured in accordance with FTC standard test 

 methods. Over the years, consumers have expressed a growing 

 preference for cigarettes with lower "tar" and nicotine yields. This 

 has resulted, on an industry-wide basis, in more than a 50 percent 

 reduction in average nicotine yields over the past 40 years. 



In conclusion, let me say that nicotine is a naturally occurring 

 substance in tobacco, which is obviously an intrinsic characteristic 

 of our product. Liggett does not design or manufacture its ciga- 

 rettes with the intent to spike the amount of nicotine in cigarettes. 

 There is no secret about the yields of Liggett's cigarettes, which I 

 reiterate has been publicly disclosed for years. 



In closing, I'd like to add a personal observation. Some anti-to- 

 bacco zealots would have the American people believe that in our 

 manufacturing process there is a gentleman at the end of each line 

 with a pot of nicotine making sure that we sprinkle the product as 

 it goes out the door to be sure that there is enough nicotine to hook 

 or addict smokers. We don't do that, and I've never heard of it 

 being done. 



In all of my years in this business world-wide, I have never 

 known of a product-designed objective or goal that included even 

 the notion of spiking the amount of nicotine in a cigarette to 

 achieve a level that would hook or addict smokers. 



I am pleased to be back before your committee, Mr. Chairman. 

 We look forward to answering your questions. 



Mr. Waxman. Thank you very much, Mr. Horrigan. 



