The Irish tobacco industry has been urged to clarify whether or not nicotine levels in cigarettes on sale here have increased.
The call from an anti-smoking organisation, ASH Ireland, follows publication of a US study which found that nicotine levels in certain cigarette brands on sale there had risen significantly since 1998.Three brands popular with young smokers - Marlboro, Newport and Camel - all delivered significantly more nicotine, the study reported.
A spokesman for Gallaher Ireland, whose products include Benson & Hedges and Silk Cut, said the levels of nicotine and tar in Gallaher products had been reduced significantly in the past 10 to 15 years.
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