Amount of nicotine and carbon monoxide inhaled by smokers of low-tar, low-nicotine cigarettes

In 76 smokers, correlations between plasma nicotine and alveolar carbon monoxide levels of the individual smoker and the nicotine and CO yields of his cigarette were very poor. In 24 smokers of low-nicotine, low-tar cigarettes, mean alveolar CO levels did not differ from those of smokers of regular cigarettes. Mean plasma nicotine levels were lower in smokers of low-nicotine cigarettes, but a wide overlap of individual values occurred. The implication that an individual shifting to ultra-low-tar cigarettes reduces risks of cardiopulmonary disease is unwarranted. (JAMA1983;250:2840-2842)