The Washington Post reports [Aug. 31, 2006] that the amount of nicotine
in most cigarettes rose an average of almost 10 percent from 1998 to
2004, with brands most popular with young people and minorities
registering the biggest increases and highest nicotine content,
according to a new study by the Massachusetts Department of Public
Health.  (http://www.washingtonpost.com)

The study, reported by The Boston Globe, found that 92 of 116 brands
tested had higher nicotine yields in 2004 than in 1998.

"The reports are stunning," said Matthew L. Myers, president of the
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. "What's critical is the consistency of
the increase, which leads to the conclusion that it has to have been
conscious and deliberate."

The Bush administration's closely controlled Food and Drug
Administration, with seeming cooperation from federal courts, has
consistently undercut and weakened anti-smoking efforts by health
organizations, anti-tobacco lobbyists, and citizens' groups, including
greatly reducing, gutting, or tossing out court-ordered fines and
penalties imposed on the tobacco industry.

For the Bushies, it's just BIG business as usual!  And to hell with
peoples' health and welfare!