![]() This freebased version of Marlboro cigarettes was one of the greatest triumphs in the history of modern drug design and one reason the brand became the world’s most popular cigarette. The discovery seems to have come about by accident, in the course of exploring the properties of the ammoniated tobaccos used in the preparation of reconstituted tobacco sheet (“recon”). 2 The tobacco industry has for many years used ammonia as a relatively innocuous additive to augment certain flavors, to economize on costs by expanding or “puffing” the cured leaf, to denicotinize (reduce the amount of nicotine in) tobacco, and even to reduce some of the carcinogens in tobacco smoke.īy the early 1960s, however, Philip Morris scientists had discovered that ammonia could also be used to increase the free nicotine in cigarette smoke, providing a more powerful nicotine kick than the milder low-pH tobaccos traditionally used in American-blend cigarettes. Although toxic in large doses, ammonia is relatively easy to remove from processed tobacco leaves the gaseous form is quite volatile, and the salt is easily neutralized by the addition of an acid. 1 The compound is also commonly used as a tobacco additive, either in its native form as a clear, pungent gas (NH 3, an ingredient in smelling salts) or as an aqueous or solid ammonium salt (NH 4 +). We also show how Marlboro’s commercial success catalyzed efforts by the rest of the tobacco industry to discover its “secret,” eventually identified as ammonia technology, and how Philip Morris later exploited the myriad uses of ammonia (e.g., for flavoring and expanding tobacco volume) to defend itself against charges of manipulating the nicotine deliveries of its cigarettes.ĪMMONIA OCCURS NATURALLY in cured tobacco leaf, from close to 0% in some varieties up to about 1% (by weight) in the leaves used in some higher-quality cigars. We show that Philip Morris discovered the virtues of freebasing while analyzing the impact of the ammoniated recon used in Marlboro cigarettes. Tell Us What You Think About the Maryland State Archives Website!Įducation & Outreach || Archives of Maryland Online ] Governor General Assembly Judiciary Maryland.Philip Morris and other tobacco companies have been using ammonia in their manufacturing for more than half a century, and for a variety of purposes: to highlight certain flavors, to expand or “puff up” the volume of tobacco, to prepare reconstituted tobacco sheet (“recon”), to denicotinize (reduce the amount of nicotine in) tobacco, and to remove carcinogens.īy the early 1960s, however, Philip Morris had also begun using ammonia to “freebase” the nicotine in cigarette smoke, creating low-yield (reduced-tar or -nicotine) cigarettes that still had the nicotine kick necessary to keep customers “satisfied” (i.e., addicted). Rights assessment, and full originating source citation, is the responsibility of the user. PLEASE NOTE: The site may contain material from other sources which may be under copyright. When this material is used, in whole or in part, proper citation and credit must be attributed to the Maryland State Archives. Maryland Executive Commissions, Committees, Task Forces, & Advisory BoardsĮ-mail: web site is presented for reference purposes under the doctrine of fair use. ![]() ![]() Bond III, Superintendent (301) 627-6905Į-mail: Maryland Constitutional Offices & Agencies Vickie Stewart, Code Enforcement Officer (301) 627-6905Ĭol. Photo courtesy of Town of Upper Marlboro. Town Hall, 14211 School Lane, Upper Marlboro, Maryland, October 2022. Town Hall, 14211 School Lane, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772Į-mail: mailing address: P. Town Hall, 14211 School Lane, Upper Marlboro, Maryland, May 2018. 22, 2022, to fill vacancy created when Linda K. Franklin, President (Mayor) (chosen by Board, 2-year term) Incorporated 1870 ( Chapter 363, Acts of 1870)Įlected by Voters to 2-year terms (Nov.):. ![]() Upper Marlboro, Prince George's County, Maryland PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MARYLAND MUNICIPALITIES UPPER MARLBORO County Seat of Prince George's County
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