New Zealand cigarette manufacturers compete on nicotine and price for young smokers

In 1996, shopkeepers and adolescents were interviewed, manufacturers’ returns were analysed and the amount of nicotine in cigarettes was tested. In two research contracts and further analyses, it was shown that cigarettes in New Zealand in 1996 contained 40% more nicotine than those in Canada or the United States; the cheapest packs, of 10 cigarettes, preferred by young adolescents, contained 17% more nicotine per gram of dry tobacco than packs of 20 and 25 cigarettes of the same brands; 67% of Rothmans had a high level of nicotine (> 1.2 mg), 70% of Wills’ had a medium level (1.0–1.2 mg) and 69% of Philip Morris’ had a low level (< 1.0 mg). The volume sales of the 10 top brand variants were highly correlated with nicotine yield and content (r= 0.79 for both) in 1996.