Internal memos from the tobacco companies indicated that they knew the addictive properties of nicotine in the 1960s, but Dr. Kessler continued to look for the 'intended' use of the nicotine as an addictive agent. Finally, a 'tip' from a source within Brown and Williamson Tobacco Corporation led the investigation to ports of call in the southeastern U.S. where genetically bred tobacco with high nicotine content was being imported from Brazil. Dr. Kessler asked his audience. We have the opportunity to change the course of an epidemic. Kids are beginning to smoke at 11 and 12 years of age and becoming addicted by age 16 or 17.
Smoking is a pediatric disease.
That's where our emphasis needs to be. Making cigarettes more expensive may not stop adults from smoking, but it can prevent youngsters from starting to smoke. We need to get this young generation to change the way they look at cigarettes. It has to be an education approach. And, of course, we need to keep on regulating advertising and promotions.