Tobacco CEOs testify: "Nicotine is not addictive" (1994)

> Cigarettes contain nicotine because it occurs naturally in tobacco. Nicotine contributes to the taste of cigarettes and the pleasures of smoking. The presence of nicotine, however, does not make cigarettes a drug or smoking addiction. Coffee, Mr. Chairman, contains caffeine and few people seem to enjoy coffee that does not. Does that make coffee a drug? Are coffee drinkers drug addicts? I think not.

Perhaps the true value of executives that justifies their bloated compensation is the ability to deliver bullshit lines like these with a straight face.

The greater portion of civics education should consist of watching important impressive people say things that are clearly lies with utter confidence. If there's a more important lesson to learn in civics class I haven't learned it yet.

As far as I’ve understood, pure nicotine is not significantly addictive in most people.

What is very addictive, though, is the synergistic effect nicotine has with MAO inhibitors, such as those found in tobacco smoke or vape/gum/pouch flavorings.