I believe they are using Quest genetically altered cigarettes from Vector tobacco out of North Carolina. From a NZ article on the study:
"A groundbreaking Auckland University study has found it is possible to smoke your way to quitting by using virtually nicotine-free cigarettes.
The research found a higher quit rate among heavily addicted smokers offered nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and the cigarettes with hardly any nicotine, than those given just NRT patches, gum or lozenges.
"It's an exciting finding," lead researcher Dr Natalie Walker, of the university's clinical trials research unit, said last night.
People in the "intervention" arm of the trial were given a six-week supply of the low-nicotine Quest brand of tobacco cigarettes and told they could smoke them if needed."
From Wikipedia:
Quest (cigarette)
Quest is a cigarette brand manufactured by Vector Tobacco, based in Mebane, North Carolina. It is manufactured using genetically altered tobacco plants.[1]
The product is available in three versions. Quest 1, Quest 2, and Quest 3.Each version of the product contained a different amount of nicotine.Quest 1 is reported to have of .6 mg of nicotine. Quest 2 is reported to have of .3 mg of nicotine. Quest 3 is reported to have only trace amounts of nicotine (.05 mg).
Importantly, the manufacturer stresses that Quest cigarettes contained all of the unhealthy carcinogens and had the same side effects of a regular cigarette with the single exception of reduced nicotine levels.
