Reducing Nicotine in Cigarettes Is an Extremely Bad Idea

The Food and Drug Administration's proposal  to gradually reduce nicotine levels in tobacco to discourage smoking is an extremely bad idea which won't help anyone and could hurt some.  Smoking may appear unattractive to non-smokers, but smokers may be doing what is best for someone with their genetic brain structure.

I have never had any connection to the tobacco industry.  I have never smoked, owned any tobacco company assets or worked in a facility that sold tobacco products.  People I cared about have died from medical conditions associated with tobacco use.

On a personal level I don't understand how people can enjoy smoking, but then smokers might not understand why I like jalapeno slices in my breakfast eggs. 

Unlike anti-tobacco fanatics I understand that differences in our brain genes can cause us to march  to the beats of different drummers.     One of the most important differences involves the  Dopamine Receptor gene DR4 which some call the risk taker gene because those with a certain form of the gene are more prone to risk taking.    Those with the risk taker form of the gene need a greater level of excitement possibly because they have more receptors for the neurotransmitter dopamine.

The risk taker gene is essential in hunter / warrior societies because male members of the society must be willing to face danger to feed and protect other members of the society.   The risk taker gene may also affect decisions to move to another country or to the American frontier. .

The people who attempt to discourage young people from smoking don't recognize that their publicity campaign may actually be encouraging young risk takers to try smoking.  Potentially dangerous activities appeal to  those with the risk taker gene because doing something dangerous is exciting. Surviving  doing something dangerous provides a feeling of accomplishment.  Telling young risk takers that smoking is dangerous makes smoking an attractive activity.

Those with the risk taker gene are prone to alcoholism and drug addiction indicating they may need a chemical stimulation for their DR4 receptors.  Fortunately there is another chemical that can provide this stimulation.   Nicotine can provide an alternate chemical for at least some of those with the risk taker gene without the dangerous side effects of alcohol or drugs.   Users of alcohol or drugs can lose control of their behavior  Smokers retain control over their behavior.

The conventional view is that nicotine independently causes people to become addicted to it.    The reality might be more complicated.  Some people may have a need for special chemicals that have a certain impact on their well being.  We all are "addicted to" some chemicals such as vitamins.  It might be that people with the risk taker  gene have more specialized needs. 

This post is too short to provide definitive answers, but it could provide a guide for additional research into the possibility that for those with the risk taker gene smoking might be a beneficial activity.  The potential heath threat is less than the threat posed by a high fat diet or drinking and driving.    Smokers generally live long enough to retire   Incidentally, I recently saw an ad indicating some lawyers believe that many lung cancers blamed on smoking might actually be the result of asbestos exposure.  

 

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