V‐T rates for the CO2(1000) and (0001) levels have been measured in various 10.6‐&mgr;m amplifying and absorbing glow discharges by a simple new technique. The rise and decay times of the changes produced in the discharge current by a short‐duration 10.6‐&mgr;m laser pulse are interpreted in terms of the V‐T rates. Reciprocal rise and decay time plots vs pressure yield straight lines, the slopes of which are the average molecular V‐T rates for the (1000) and (0001) levels. Provided the electron density is known, the electron deactivation rates for these levels can also be obtained.