GTC's clinical trials on low tobacco cigarette by Feb 2007

Hyderabad, Sep 26 (UNI) After developing cigarette ''with 25 per cent less tobacco and 62 per cent lower nicotine and carcogenic tar,'' GTC Industries Limited today said the report of clinical trails to authenticate its claim will be ready by February 2007.

Focusing on low tobacco products as a key growth vehicle, GTC announced the launch of its first low tobacco cigarette ''Loe Tabac,'' for India consumer.

Mr Amar Sinha, Director, Sales and Marketing, GTC Industries Limited and Dr Sajeela Maini, President, Tobacco Cessation Specialist, told the media here the GTC was pioneering the concept of low tobacco wherein the quantum of tobacco in the cigarette was reduced progressively by cutting down on harmful constituents..

Globally, people were aspiring for safer and healthier products and taking cognizance of the global trend, GTC had endeavoured to reduce the quantum of tobacco in cigarette cutting down on the levels of toxicity and carcinogenicity.

''In my opinion, Loe Tabac is perhaps less harmful than known PREP cigarettes since the clinical research shows 50 -- 60 per cent substantial reduction in TSNA, Carbon Monoxide, Tar and Smoked Nicotine'', Dr Sajeela Maini added.

The clinical research to be undertaken by Dr Maini will outline the effect of low tobacco cigarettes on quality of life and cardio-respiratory functioning as compared to conventional cigarettes.

The clinical trial would involve current tobacco smokers selected on a random basis. Efforts would be made to take a wide sample from varied age groups, occupational groups and socio-economic status to be representative sample.

The smokers would be assessed both by the subjective and objective assessment techniques. The duration of the study would be four months and the research report presented by February 2007.

GTC will be doing further research and hopes to progressively reduce the quantity of tobacco to 50 per cent and more, Mr Sinha added.

UNI DB GM 1754