Imaginez une cigarette débarrassée de toute nocivité ... Ca paraît impossible ! Ce sera pourtant bientôt une réalité grâce à un tabac génétiquement modifié.
La Société VECTOR TOBACCO a en effet mis au point une technique pour traiter le tabac et ainsi faire disparaître de manière significative la nicotine et les hydrocarbures aromatiques polycycliques.
Ce tabac sans nicotine est une véritable aubaine pour les gros fumeurs, il permet d'espérer l'ouverture d'un très gros marché à court terme. Des tests réalisés sur des fumeurs ont montré que ceux-ci appréciaient le goût du tabac.
Seul problème et non des moindres, la dépendance à la nicotine.
Il semble que ce type de tabac se destine donc à des personnes qui ont décidé d'arrêter de fumer et qui pourront profiter du goût du tabac sans pour autant affecter leur santé.
Les gros producteurs de tabac Américains ne voient pas d'un très bon oeil l'arrivée de cette plante sur le marché; pour des raisons économiques tout d'abord, mais surtout parce que si cet OGM venait à entrer en contact avec les plantations naturelles, ce serait une véritable catastrophe (si l'on peut dire); tout serait contaminé en très peu de temps.
Quoi qu'il en soit, la Société VECTOR TOBACCO, fermement appuyée par le gouvernement américain, ne devrait pas tarder à commercialiser sa petite merveille, ce qui devrait indubitablement laisser des traces dans le monde du tabac.
Source: respublica.fr
TABAC - En janvier 2001, les responsables de Vector Tobacco ont dévoilé un plan pour une cigarette sans nicotine, utilisant du tabac transgénique développé par l'Université de Caroline du Nord.
L'entreprise souhaite que la FDA autorise une telle cigarette comme étant un moyen de lutter contre les méfaits du tabac. Or, plusieurs responsables de la santé insistent pour dire que si la nicotine est néfaste, les additifs que l'on absorbe dans la fumée le sont également. Les agriculteurs de Caroline du Nord, quant à eux, estiment que ce tabac génétiquement modifié risque de faire chuter les exportations à destination de l'Europe et de l'Asie et ont donc clairement précisé à Vector qu'ils n'étaient pas intéressés par ce tabac. Les responsables de Vector se sont alors adressés à des agriculteurs de l'Oklahoma pour pouvoir tester leur tabac sans contaminer celui de Caroline du Nord, destiné à l'exportation.
The News & Observer, Raleigh, 24 janvier 2001
Vector Tobacco: new cigarette technology will cut cancer agents
By PAUL NOWELL
AP Business Writer
Vector Tobacco of Durham has developed a technology it says significantly reduces a cancer-causing agent from cigarette smoke.
Vector Group Ltd. of Miami, parent company of Vector Tobacco and discount cigarette maker Liggett Group of Durham, said Tuesday it plans to start marketing the new cigarettes as early as this summer.
The new cigarettes taste the same as conventional cigarettes, but they will feature catalytic technology that reduces polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) compounds, from the smoke. PAHs are considered by many in the health community to be the most severe cancer-causing agents in cigarettes, the company said.
The proprietary process to reduce PAHs was developed by Dr. Robert Bereman, a former North Carolina State University chemical professor who is now vice president of chemical research at Vector Tobacco.
A telephone call to Bereman was referred to Vector public relations officials.
"This new technology will eliminate one of the most serious cancer causing agents from tobacco smoke,'' said spokeswoman Brandy Bergman. She said she could not discuss the science involved.
The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday that the process involves treating tobacco with a combination of chemicals, including palladium, a metal most commonly used in catalytic converters, a car's primary pollution control device.
Last month, Vector announced plans to introduce a cigarette made from genetically modified tobacco that is virtually nicotine-free and has reduced amounts of cancer-causing nitrosamines (TSNAs).
Nicotine makes smoking addictive, and a cigarette without it wouldn't produce the dependency that others do.
Cigarettes using the genetically modified tobacco are expected to reach the market early next year after the company completes tests and grows enough genetically altered tobacco to build inventory.
The two technological developments could eventually be combined into a single product, said Bennett S. LeBow, chairman and chief executive officer of Miami-based Vector Group.
"In our view, there is great potential in combining Vector Tobacco's significantly PAH-reduced technology with our virtually nicotine-free and TSNA-free tobacco,'' LeBow said in a prepared statement. "By producing a cigarette with significantly reduced PAHs and virtually no TSNAs, the two most serious cancer causing agents, we would be giving consumers a new choice about what to smoke.''
Despite the technological advances, cancer-causing chemicals would still be present in the new cigarettes.
"While there is no such thing as a safe cigarette, we believe we've eliminated what the health community considers to be the most serious cancer causing agents with these developments,'' LeBow said.
Shares of Vector Group were up $1.27, or 6 percent, to $21.95 in afternoon trading on the New York Stock Exchange.
AP-ES-02-13-01 1529EST
February 13, 2001
Tuesday June 26, 8:44 am Eastern Time
MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 26, 2001--Vector Group Ltd.
Richard DiDonato Will Head Up Sales Efforts for Vector Tobacco's Coming OMNI and OMNI Nicotine Free Products
Vector Group Ltd. today announced that its Vector Tobacco subsidiary has hired Richard J. DiDonato as Vice President of Sales. At Vector Tobacco, Mr. DiDonato will head up the sales effort for the Company's coming less hazardous tobacco products, OMNI and OMNI Nicotine Free.
``We're very excited that Richard DiDonato, a top producing sales executive with more than 20 years of experience and an outstanding industry reputation, is joining Vector Tobacco,'' said Bennett S. LeBow, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Vector Group. ``Richard's proven track record in the introduction of new brands and products makes him the perfect fit for Vector Tobacco as we prepare to launch our coming OMNI and OMNI Nicotine Free brands. We wholeheartedly welcome Richard to the Vector team.''
Prior to joining Vector Tobacco, Richard J. DiDonato, 42, served as Director of Sales, Northeast States, for Lorillard Tobacco Company from 1997 until June 2001. In that position, Mr. DiDonato oversaw the sale, distribution, promotion and merchandising of all Lorillard cigarette products sold in all classes of trade throughout the Northeast. Among his responsibilities in that position, Mr. DiDonato executed national and regional sales programs and product line expansion and coordinated the activities of more than 350 sales personnel. From 1991 to 1997, Mr. DiDonato was a Regional Sales Manager for Lorillard. Since 1980, he held numerous sales-related positions at Lorillard.
``I'm thrilled about joining Vector Tobacco at this very exciting time for the Company and look forward to the opportunity to work on such innovative new products as OMNI and OMNI Nicotine Free,'' said Richard J. DiDonato. ``My professional experience with new products, strategic improvement of market share, and development and leadership of a highly motivated, dedicated and productive sales force have prepared me well for the task at hand -- and I'm eager to get started.''
Vector Tobacco has the rights to a process that enables the production of tobacco that is virtually free of nicotine and virtually free of tobacco specific nitrosamines (TSNAs), a potent carcinogen found in tobacco. In addition, Vector Tobacco has developed a proprietary technology that significantly reduces one of the most serious cancer-causing agents in cigarettes, carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) compounds. Vector Group expects to introduce these new products later this year and in early 2002 under the names OMNI and OMNI Nicotine Free. Both OMNI and OMNI Nicotine Free light, smoke and taste the same as conventional cigarettes.
Vector Group is a holding company that indirectly owns Liggett Group Inc., Vector Tobacco and a controlling interest in New Valley Corporation.
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company has tried, whenever possible, to identify these forward-looking statements using words such as ``anticipates'', ``believes'', ``estimates'', ``expects'', ``plans'', ``intends'' and similar expressions. These statements reflect the Company's current beliefs and are based upon information currently available to it. Accordingly, such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, such statements. These risks, uncertainties and contingencies include, without limitation, the challenges inherent in new product development initiatives, the Company's ability to raise the capital necessary to grow its business, potential disputes concerning the Company's intellectual property, potential delays in obtaining any necessary government approvals of the Company's proposed virtually nicotine-free tobacco products, potential delays in obtaining the tobacco needed to produce the Company's proposed new products, market acceptance of the Company's proposed new products, competition from companies with greater resources than the Company and the Company's dependence on key employees. See additional discussion under ``Risk Factors'' in Item 1 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000, and other factors detailed from time to time in the Company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or advise upon any such forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
02/14/01
Vector plans reduced risk cigarettes
(AP) - Vector Tobacco of Durham has developed a technology it says significantly reduces a cancer-causing agent from cigarette smoke. Vector Group Ltd., parent company of Vector Tobaccoand discount cigarette maker Liggett Group of Durham, said Tuesday it plans to start marketing the new cigarettes as early as this summer. The new cigarettes taste the same as conventional cigarettes, but they will feature catalytic technology that reduces polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) compounds, from the smoke. PAHs are considered by many in the health community to be the most severe cancer-causing agents in cigarettes, the company said. The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday that the process involves treating tobacco with a combination of chemicals, including palladium, a metal most commonly used in catalytic converters, a car's primary pollution control device. Last month, Vector announced plans to introduce a cigarette made from genetically modified tobacco that is virtually nicotine-free and has reduced amounts of cancer-causing nitrosamines (TSNAs). Nicotine makes smoking addictive, and a cigarette without it wouldn't produce the dependency that others do. Cigarettes using the genetically modified tobacco are expected to reach the market early next year after the company completes tests and grows enough genetically altered tobacco to build inventory.
16/01/01
Nicotine-free cigarette to hit market
Source: American Press, by Catherine Wilson
Vector Group Ltd. plans to introduce a cigarette made from genetically modified tobacco that is virtually nicotine-free. The cigarette now being tested is said to cut cancer-causing nitrosamines, but other cancer-causing chemicals would be present in the smoke. The cigarette is expected to reach the market early next year.
24/01/01
Growers fear transgenic tobacco could diminish exports.
Source: The News & Observer, Raleigh, USA, by Bob Williams.
North Carolina farmers are worried genetically modified tobacco that contains no nicotine could scare off top export customers in Europe and Asia. Tommy Bunn, director of the Leaf Tobacco Exporters Association in Raleigh said that most of their top export customers had made it crystal clear that they wanted absolutely nothing to do with genetically modified crops. Vector Tobacco, the company that disclosed plans for a virtually nicotine-free cigarette made with transgenic tobacco, said that they are trying to contact nontraditional tobacco-growing areas such as Pennsylvania and Oklahoma to find farmers willing to grow the tobacco.
Une cigarette sans nicotine
Le Figaro annonce que début 2002 Vector group devrait
commercialiser outre Atlantique la première cigarette sans
nicotine obtenue à partir de tabac transgénique. Selon le
journal " le jeu en vaut la chandelle " quand on sait
que " chaque année 60 000 personnes sont victimes de
l'herbe à Nicot ". Relevant que certes, ce qui est
dangereux " dans la cigarette c'est d'abord les goudrons et
l'oxyde de carbone, le journal observe toutefois que la nicotine
qui rend " accro " accroît " inexorablement la
consommation de cigarettes. " et le Pr Dubois confirme
" comparée à d'autres drogues comme l'alcool, l'addiction
au tabac s'installe très vite en moyenne au bout de la centième
cigarette " Vector Group affirme pour sa part que son tabac
sans nicotine " permettra aux gens de fumer sans risque de
devenir dépendant " et que l'on pourra même l'utiliser
pour se " désintoxiquer ". Toutefois " vu le
lourd passé des producteurs de cigarettes américains " le
Figaro reste " quelque peu perplexe " face à cette
" soudaine conversion à la lutte antitabac ".
Soulignant que l'idée n'est pas nouvelle, puisque que ce type de
cigarette se vend en pharmacie et que la Seita avait lancé dans
les années 70 " la fameuse " Gauloise verte " dénicotinisée
" qui avait " fait un flop ", le journal assure
que la cigarette de Vector (Omnifree) a gardé " toute sa
saveur. " et que sur ce point les tests " sont
concluants ". Interrogé, Jean pol Tassin neurobiologiste
explique que " le mécanisme de la dépendance au tabac est
très complexe " que " la nicotine agit en synergie
avec d'autres composés " et que " rien ne permet
d'affirmer aujourd'hui que sa suppression est suffisante pour écarter
à elle seule tout risque d'addiction ". Alors le journal
s'inquiète en effet " le remède pourrait être pire que le
mal " car le fumeur pourrait inspirer plus pronfondément ou
fumer plus de cigarettes pour avoir " sa dose de nicotine
", sans oublier les adjuvants que les industriels ne se sont
pas privés d'ajouter par le passé, et qu'ils pourraient là
aussi ajouter.
Le journal conclut que " sous toutes ces réserves "
cette cigarette peut selon les spécialistes présenter tout de même
un intérêt " pour les individus qui n'ont jamais fumé, en
particulier les jeunes ", ce que nuance Patrick Sansoy de la
MILDT qui indique " cela peut éviter l'entrée dans la
toxicomanie mais cela peut être aussi un mode d'initiation à la
cigarette avec nicotine. "
Revolutionary
Nicotine-Free Cigarettes Now Available in Arizona
Quest 1, 2 and 3 Allows Smokers to Transition to Nicotine-Free
Smoking
New York, NY, January 26, 2004
Vector Group Ltd. (NYSE: VGR) announced today that Quest, the
first cigarette brand that allows smokers to transition to
nicotine-free smoking, is now available in Arizona. The state
accounts for approximately 1% of all cigarette sales in the
United States.
Quest is designed for adult smokers who are interested in
reducing their levels of nicotine intake and is available in
regular and menthol flavors in three different varieties, each
with decreasing amounts of nicotine – Quest 1, 2 and 3.
Quest 1, the low nicotine variety, contains 0.6 milligrams of
nicotine. Quest 2, the extra-low nicotine variety, contains 0.3
milligrams of nicotine. Quest 3, the nicotine-free variety,
contains only trace levels of nicotine – no more than 0.05
milligrams of nicotine per cigarette. Quest cigarettes utilize a
proprietary process that enables the production of nicotine-free
tobacco that tastes and smokes like tobacco in conventional
cigarettes.
Bennett S. LeBow, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Vector
Group, said, “Quest is unlike any other cigarette available
today and we are excited to offer this revolutionary new product
to smokers in the important Arizona market.”
According to Dr. Tony Albino, Vice President of Public Health
Affairs, Vector Group, who has over 30 years of experience in
public health at organizations such as the American Health
Foundation and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: “We
believe that reducing the levels of nicotine in Quest 1 and 2
– and eliminating it altogether in Quest 3 – is a
significant achievement, which could ultimately provide a major
contribution.”
Quest was first introduced in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania,
Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Michigan in January 2003. All six
Quest varieties are available in hard packs and are priced
comparable to other premium brands. The Arizona launch will be
supported by an advertising and marketing campaign, with
advertisements running in magazines and regional newspapers, and
also by point-of-purchase campaigns.
Quest is intended for adult smokers who want to transition to
nicotine-free smoking. It is not intended for smoking cessation.
For more information about Quest, please visit www.questcigs.com.
Vector Group is a holding company that indirectly owns Liggett
Group Inc., Vector Tobacco Inc., and a controlling interest in
New Valley Corporation.
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Copyright © 2004 ~ Robert Fraigneux ~ Last Updated 30/07/04
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