Effects of spirometric administration of tobacco smoke containing varying amounts of nicotine on physiological measures and subject ratings

Abstract

A previously developed spirometric methodology of tobacco smoke administration was evaluated by determining the effects of varying nicotine delivery on various physiological and subjective measures. Eight male tobacco smoking subjects were administered 60cc volumes of tobacco smoke drawn from University of Kentucky research cigarettes, or air. Subjects were exposed to four bouts of smoke administration conducted over an 8h day. Each smoking bout was separated by 2h and involved 20 smoke administrations at the rate of one every 30sec. Each smoke administration consisted of 60cc of air or 60cc drawn from 0.3, 1.2 or 2.7mg nicotine yield cigarettes, followed by 1 liter of air which forced the smoke or air deep into the lungs. Carbon monoxide (CO), blood pressure, and heart rate were measured before and after each smoking bout, and subject ratings of smoke effects were completed after each smoking bout. In a separate study, blood samples were collected on two occasions before and after administration of the two highest nicotine yield cigarettes to determine changes in nicotine plasma levels. Data indicated that the spirometric method produced: (1) similar CO boosts across nicotine yields, and (2) changes in heart rate, blood pressure, subject ratings and plasma nicotine levels which were directly related to the nicotine yield of cigarettes.