INDUSTRY CONSIDERED "NARCOTIC EFFECT" [10/24]

Philip Morris Considered Capitalizing on "Narcotic Effect" of Nicotine

Memo Notes "Kool" Best to Maintain "Marijuana High" Because of High Nicotine Scientist Suggested New Cigarette Could be Used for Mixing With Marijuana

Philip Morris apparently considered capitalizing on the "narcotic effect" of nicotine by producing a cigarette which was higher in nicotine, or had a higher nicotine-to-tar ratio, after learning that nicotine apparently helped to prolong the "high" from smoking marijuana.

In a 1972 memo, a Philip Morris scientist noted that Kool cigarettes were considered the best "after marijuana" cigarette to smoke to maintain the high created by using marijuana.

Noting that "a widely held theory hold that most people smoke for the narcotic effect (relaxing, sedative) that comes from the nicotine," Al Udow suggested that the Kool's high nicotine level was the reason it was so popular with marijuana smokers.

He said it suggested "a route for us to follow to capture some of Kool's business."

"This ties in with the information we have from focus group sessions and other sources that suggest that Kool is considered to be good for 'after marijuana' to maintain the 'high' or for mixing of marijuana, or 'instead,'" he wrote.

Udow suggested that, if one of the key's to Kool cigarettes' success was high nicotine delivery, "we should pursue this thought in developing a menthol entry."

"Many menthol smokers say they are not looking for high tobacco taste anyway," he added.

The Philip Morris memo was one of many which have emerged from suits by states to recoup the added health care costs of smokers.

Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) is a national tax-exempt legal-action antismoking organization which assists in the suits.

ASH - ACTION ON SMOKING AND HEALTH 2013 H Street, NW / Washington, DC 20006 / (202) 659-4310