Peer-Reviewed Publications

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

      Gunduz, I.; Kondylis, A.; Jaccard, G.; Renaud, J. M.; Hofer, R.; Ruffieux, L.; Gadani, F.
      Published
      Jan 22, 2016
      DOI
      10.1016/j.yrtph.2016.01.012
      PMID
      26806560
      Link to publication
      Topic
      Summary

      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.

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