Tobacco-specific N-nitrosamines NNN and NNK levels in cigarette brands between 2000 and 2014

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yrtph.2016.01.012Get rights and content
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Highlights

  • Tobacco specific nitrosamines, NNN and NNK, in cigarette smoke and tobacco filler across 2000 to 2014 were investigated.

  • The data indicate a substantial reduction of both NNN and NNK in tobacco filler and cigarette smoke.

  • Downward trend observed on NNN and NNK levels overlap with measures taken to reduce TSNA formation in tobacco.

Abstract

The evolution of the levels of tobacco-specific N-nitrosamines (TSNA), N-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) and 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) in mainstream (MS) cigarette smoke is investigated based on smoke and tobacco chemistry data of cigarette brands sold by Philip Morris International (PMI) between 2000 and 2014. A total of 315 cigarette samples representing a wide range of product and design characteristics manufactured by PMI between 2008 and 2014 were analyzed and compared to a previously published dataset of PMI brands manufactured in 2000. The data indicate that there is a substantial reduction of NNN and NNK levels in tobacco fillers and MS cigarette smoke per mg of tar and per mg of nicotine using Health Canada Intense (HCI) machine-smoking regime. This observed reduction in NNN and NNK levels in MS cigarette smoke is also supported by the downward trend observed on NNN and NNK levels in USA flue-cured Virginia and Burley tobacco lots from 2000 to 2014 crops, reflecting effectiveness of measures taken on curing and agricultural practices designed to minimize TSNA formation in tobacco.

Keywords

TSNA
NNN
NNK
Tobacco
Cigarette smoke
Smoke transfer

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