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3. Allegation that U.S. Tobacco employs a "graduatioi 

 strategy" with the intent of moving new users from low 

 nicotine brands up to higher nicotine brands as dependence 

 occurs, and intentionally adjusts the nicotine dose in each 

 brand to cause and maintain dependence. 



Dr. Connolly* s Agenda 



Before addressing the substance of these allegations, it is 

 important to understand the demonstrable bias of the individual 

 who is making them. Although Dr. Connolly stated on March 25th 

 that he was appearing on behalf of the American Public Health 

 Association, his public statements on matters relating to U.S. 

 Tobacco and the smokeless tobacco industry are not those of an 

 objective public health official. Rather, they depict a 

 vindictive individual whose personal crusade against U.S. Tobacco 

 and the smokeless tobacco industry extends far beyond any 

 responsible public health stand. 



Two examples of Dr. Connolly's personal agenda will suffice. 

 He was quoted in a 1986 Business Week article as stating, "I'm 

 going to kill [U.S. Tobacco]." Dr. Connolly recently admitted 

 the accuracy of this statement before the House Ways and Means 

 Committee. And in 1985 Dr. Connolly was quoted as having the 



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