51.   The nicotine is absorbed through the mouth and not into the lungs, and the device helps lower nicotine levels and encourages smokers to quit.

52.   The surgeon general warns that beedies are as dangerous as cigarettes and more addictive because of higher nicotine levels.

53.   The studies, reported in the current issue of the Journal of Tobacco Control, document that pH levels and nicotine levels vary in different brands of tobacco.

54.   The suit, in federal court in New Orleans, contends that tobacco companies manipulated nicotine levels and concealed research showing nicotine is addictive.

55.   The tobacco industry has consistently denied altering nicotine levels in cigarettes, and has also denied that nicotine is addictive.

56.   The tobacco industry is facing numerous legal challenges on the issue of whether it thinks nicotine is addictive and whether it manipulates nicotine levels.

57.   The U.S. Food and Drug Administration released sworn statements yesterday from former Philip Morris employees indicating that the tobacco company aimed for specific nicotine levels in its products.

58.   Then, in Congressional hearings, executives from Philip Morris, RJR Nabisco Holdings Corp. and other cigarette companies denied manipulating nicotine levels.

59.   They also will attempt to prove that the companies targeted children with sophisticated marketing campaigns and sought to hook consumers by manipulating the nicotine levels in cigarettes.

60.   This lawsuit, against six tobacco companies, charges the industry with manipulating nicotine levels and deceiving the public and the government about the dangers of smoking.