Book: Tobacco companies test genetically modified tobacco in Finland

print this

Finnish smokers have been unwittingly used by the international tobacco industry for the testing of genetically modified tobacco in the 1990s, says Matti Rautalahti, head physician of the Finnish Cancer Organisations.
      The revelation came at the publication of a new book by the Finnish Cancer Organisations Finnish section of ASH (Action on Smoking and Health) called Suomalaista ja eurooppalaista tupakkapolitiikkaa ("Finnish and European Tobacco Policy").
      The report was drafted by Mervi Hara and Satu Lipponen.
     
The groups say that attempts were made to increase the amount of nicotine in tobacco through selective breeding. There were also attempts to increase the "free" form of nicotine, which has a rapid effect on the brain and causes stronger addiction.
      Secret documents of the tobacco industry have come ti light during various court cases.
     
Cancer researchers say that the tobacco industry has managed to delay the implementation of restrictions on smoking in many ways. Finland was a forerunner in 1976 when tobacco advertising was banned. Now Finnish legislation has fallen behind that of many countries, members of the organisations say.
      Rautalahti asks why the law continues to allow the use of genetically modified tobacco as raw material for cigarettes. Factories have sought to develop strains whose other addictive substances would play a greater role now that legal limits have been placed on the nicotine content of cigarettes.
      Bans on restaurant smoking were implemented before Finland in Ireland, Norway, Italy, Malta, Sweden, and Iceland.
      One out of five Finish women are smokers. In 2020 the rate of lung cancer in women is expected to exceed that of breast cancer.
      One out of four Finnish men smoke. In the 1950s Finns were among the heaviest smokers in the world. This was attributed to habits picked up in wartime, when tobacco was used as a stimulant and appetite suppressant.


Links:
  Finnish Cancer Organisations

Helsingin Sanomat