Mixture Of Tobacco Research Articles

Assessment the Combining Medications with Tobacco during Water-Pipe Smoking among the University Students in Jordan.

Water-pipe smoking, popularly known as "hookah" or "shisha," is a widespread social activity in the Middle East, involving the use of a water-filtered device to vaporize flavored tobacco. A concerning trend has emerged as individuals add various drugs to the tobacco mixture, complicating the health implications. This study aimed to explore the prevalence, demographic factors, and motivations behind drug mixing with tobacco in shisha among university students in Jordan. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, a structured questionnaire was used to collect data on participants' demographics, shisha smoking habits, drug mixing practice and the motivations behind it. Four hundred and sixty-nine (469) students, aged 18-30 years, including medical and non-medical students, from two universities in Jordan participated in this study. Approximately 18% of participants reported mixing drugs with tobacco in shisha, with paracetamol being the predominant choice (80%). Motivations varied, with 42% seeking euphoric effects, 46% a relaxing experience, and 12% a sedative outcome. Males (73%) showed a higher frequency of drug mixing compared to females (27%). In addition, non-medical reported mixing drugs with the tobacco of water-pipe more than medical students. This study provides valuable insights into the complex phenomenon of drug mixing with tobacco in water-pipe smoking among university students in Jordan. The findings highlight the need for further research on clinical implications and interventions to address this emerging trend.

Note: Pawnee Native Sumac/Tobacco Resurgence

Research of historical tobacco changes and continuation in current practices has led to recommendations after thoughtful consideration by the Pawnee Nation Agricultural Committee and the Chiefs' Council. Preparation of a native tobacco mixture taught to the author by Boy Chief is explained. Traditionalists recently allowed the use of a native tobacco/native smooth sumac mixture in tribal ceremonies. Because native tobacco is additive-free and has a lower nicotine content, this mixture is considered healthier than commercially marketed tobacco for use in ceremonies.

THE YIELD OF ANJASMORO CULTIVARS SOYBEAN [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] WITH COMPOST TREATMENT FROM TOBACCO OR SOURSOP LEAVES AND ITS WEED CONDITIONS

One of the important problems in soybean production is the weed growth. This study was conducted to observe the growth of weeds in the growth of soybean plants that are given compost. Anjasmoro soybean varieties were planted in Surakarta, on April 14, 2020. There are four types of treatment, namely given compost fertilizer made from tobacco leaves, soursop leaves, a mixture of tobacco leaves and soursop, and without fertilizer. Weeds were allowed to grow together with soybeans in 15 polybags, per treatment. Observation and identification of weeds were carried out twice, 4 weeks after planting and at harvest time. The results found 9 kinds of weeds consisting of 5 species of Monocots and 4 types of Dicotiles. The total wet weight of weeds was every treatment: 1,539 grams, while the wet weight of the soybean crop at harvest was 858.4 grams. Wet weed weight in the control treatment was 284,8 grams. The wet weight of weeds in soybean plants was the largest mixture fertilizer treatment that is 514,8 grams. The number of pods ranges from 17 to 26. The sum of seeds per soybean plant in giving mixed compost is at most 98 grains. Mixed fertilizer treatment can increase the yield of Anjasmoro soybean, although weed growth up.

A current overview of the pharmacological composition of "La Chimique" consumed in Mayotte: Preliminary results of the CHASSE-MAREE protocol.

Mayotte Island, a French department located in the Mozambique Channel, has for several years been faced with the consumption of "La Chimique" (LC), reputed (but extremely poorly documented) to be a mixture of tobacco and synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs). One of the objectives of the CHASSE-MAREE protocol is to assess the composition and heterogeneity of LC products through successive LC sample collection campaigns among users. Currently underway, we present here the first analytical results (samples collected in 2022). Between September and December 2022, 80 samples were collected throughout the island over three periods: 70 in the usual form of LC (small folded papers containing a plant-like sample, mostly tobacco), 6 powders, and 4 cigarettes. Analysis was performed using liquid chromatography with high-resolution mass spectrometry. The detected substances (number of detections) included SCRAs (MDMB-4en-PINACA [35], ADB-FUBIATA [25], MDMB-INACA [16], ADB-BUTINACA [15], AFUBIATA [11], 4F-MDMD-BICA [7], CH-PIATA [14], 5C-APINACA [3], BZO-HEXOXIZID [2], and 4F-ABINACA [1]), nicotine (68), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabinol (CBN), and cannabidiol (CBD) (2), medications (amantadine [11], cyamemazine [6], and acetaminophen [3]), and a designer benzodiazepine (bromazolam [4]). The SCRAs currently in use are varied, and the market for "cooks" (those who prepare LC) is dispersed according to where and when samples are collected. These preliminary results will be supplemented by analysis of samples collected in the first half of 2023 and by an improved description of the current panorama of consumption of LC in Mayotte (mapping, effects felt and dependence, etc.).

Effect of glycerol concentration on levels of toxicants emissions from water-pipe tobacco smoking (WTS)

Glycerol, flavorings and sweeteners constitute approximately 70% of water-pipe tobacco smoking (WTS) mixtures. Tobacco mixture combustion produces smoke toxins (e.g. carbonyl compounds), of which the type and amount are highly dependable on tobacco mixture formula. While glycerol in tobacco mixture contribute to enhanced smoking experience, its’ combustion produces toxicants such as acrolein. According to WHO, there are no approved international upper limits regulations on WTS ingredients. This study aims to assess toxicant emission levels corresponding to increasing glycerol concentration in WTS mixtures, which may aid in developing tobacco regulations towards harm reduction.MethodsLaboratory experimental study. Using laboratory water-pipe smoking machine, levels of toxicant emissions in the smoke from WTS mixture samples containing varying glycerol concentrations were measured using High-performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Smoke from 5 consecutive smoking cycles with 35 puffs each (ISO 22486 standard) was led through a trapping system as described in the Cooperation Centre for Scientific Research Relative to Tobacco (CORESTA) recommended method No. 74 (Determination of selected carbonyls in mainstream cigarette smoke by HPLC). Trapped carbonyls were then analysed by HPLC with a DAD detector.ResultsAcrolein emission is associated with glycerol addition in WTS mixture indicated by lab-made samples throughout all glycerol concentrations (10%, 20%, 40% and 60%), and brand samples with glycerol concentrations 10% to 20%. However, brand samples showed no increase in acrolein emission corresponding to the increase in glycerol concentrations from 20% to 60%.ConclusionThe effect of glycerol addition in waterpipe tobacco on acrolein emission varies between products. Tobacco fillers, additives and contents quality and other factors may affect toxicant emission levels. Therefore, regulatory recommendations towards defining upper limits of content concentrations require further investigations regarding potential confounders in acrolein emissions and health effects of market-available glycerol concentrations in waterpipe tobacco smoking.

Oral health in an urban slum, Nigeria: residents’ perceptions, practices and care-seeking experiences

Background/introductionOne of the key recommendations for the new WHO global strategy for oral health is inclusion of disadvantaged populations and their engagement in policy dialogues such that their needs and views are addressed in policy decisions.ObjectivesThis study explored oral health perceptions, practices and care-seeking experiences of slum residents in Ibadan, Nigeria.MethodFocus group discussions (FGD) were conducted with family health-decision makers in an urban slum site. Oral health perceptions, practices, and care-seeking experiences were discussed. FGDs were recorded, transcribed, and translated. ATLAS.ti qualitative research software was deployed for analysis using thematic analysis.ResultsSix FGD sessions, divided by gender and age, were conducted between September–October 2019, (N = total 58 participants, aged 25 to 59 years). Common dental ailments mentioned were dental pain, tooth sensitivity, bleeding gums, tooth decay, mouth odor, gum disease, and tooth fracture. Perceived causes of dental conditions included poor dental hygiene and habits, sugary diets, ignorance, and supernatural forces. Mouth cleaning was mostly done once daily using toothbrush and paste. Other cleaning tools were ground glass, wood ash, charcoal, “epa Ijebu” (a dentrifice), and “orin ata” (a type of chewing stick). Remedies for relieving dental pain included over-the-counter medicines, warm salted water, gin, tobacco (snuff/powdered), cow urine/dung, battery fluid, and various mixtures/ concoctions. Visits to the dentists were mentioned by a few but this was usually as last resort. Main barriers to accessing care from dental care facilities were unaffordability of service charges and fear of extreme treatment measures (extraction). Suggested measures to improve timely access to dental health care included reducing/subsidizing costs of treatments and medications, offering non-extraction treatment options, and oral health education programmes.ConclusionThe slum residents experience various forms of dental ailments mostly pain-related. The residents perceived formal dental clinics as unaffordable, thereby engaging in self‐care remedies and harmful oral health practices before seeking professional help. Policymakers and decision-makers may leverage this empirical evidence for the people’s education on early dental care and address challenges to affordable, available, and acceptable oral healthcare services among slum residents to improve access to care facilities.

The hidden menace of smokeless tobacco in Pakistan: understanding the risks and possible solutions; a letter to the editor

The hidden menace of smokeless tobacco in Pakistan: understanding the risks and possible solutions; a letter to the editor

Impact of different ventilation conditions on tobacco smoke-associated particulate matter emissions in a car cabin using the TAPaC platform

Despite antagonizing attempts from the tobacco industry, passive inhalation of tobacco smoke is known to be cancerogenic and toxic to human health for decades. Nonetheless, millions of non-smoking adults and children are still victims of second-hand smoke. Accumulation of particulate matter (PM) in confined spaces such as the car are particularly harmful due to high concentrations. We here aimed to analyze the specific effects of ventilation conditions in the setting of a car. By the use of the measuring platform TAPaC (tobacco-associated particulate matter emissions inside a car cabin), 3R4F reference cigarettes, Marlboro red, and Marlboro gold were smoked in a car interior with a volume of 3.709 m3. Seven different ventilation conditions (C1–C7) were analyzed. Under C1, all windows were closed. Under C2–C7, the car ventilation was turned on power level 2/4 with the air directed towards the windshield. Only the passenger side window was opened, where an outer placed fan could create an airstream speed of 15.9–17.4 km/h at one meter distance to simulate a driving car. C2: Window 10 cm opened. C3: Window 10 cm opened with the fan turned on. C4: Window half-opened. C5: Window half-opened with the fan turned on. C6: Window fully opened. C7: Window fully opened with the fan turned on. Cigarettes were remotely smoked by an automatic environmental tobacco smoke emitter and a cigarette smoking device. Depending on the ventilation condition the cigarettes emitted different mean PM concentrations after 10 min under condition C1 (PM10: 1272–1697 µg/m3, PM2.5: 1253–1659 µg/m3, PM1: 964–1263 µg/m3) under C2, C4, and C6 (PM10: 68.7–196.2 µg/m3, PM2.5: 68.2–194.7 µg/m3, PM1: 66.1–183.8 µg/m3) C3, C5, and C7 (PM10: 73.7–139 µg/m3, PM2.5: 72–137.9 µg/m3, PM1:68.9–131.9 µg/m3). Vehicle ventilation is insufficient to protect passengers from toxic second-hand smoke completely. Brand-specific variations of tobacco ingredients and mixtures markedly influence PM emissions under ventilation conditions. The most efficient ventilation mode to reduce PM exposure was achieved by opening the passenger´s window 10 cm and turning the onboard ventilation on power level 2/4. In-vehicle smoking should be banned to preserve innocent risk groups (e.g., children) from harm.

Local substances used in Ilorin South Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT Objectives The study investigated the types of local substances used, the reasons for the use, and ways of reducing such behavior to the barest minimum in the Ilorin South Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria. Methods A phenomenological and exploratory research design was adopted for the study. The participants were purposively selected. The study adopted Semi-structured interviews to collect the data, and the method of data analysis was qualitative. Results The study showed that ogogoro (local gin), skushies (a mixture of herbs and ogogoro), gerigemu (a mixture of thorn apple and ogogoro), monkey tail (a mixture of weed and ogogoro), dried pawpaw leaves, asa (a mixture of tobacco and other substances), amongst others were the common locally used substances in the study area. These local substances were used for not being expensive to produce, availability, parents’ utilization, peer influence, coping strategies, not seen as illegal, and as sources of energy. Conclusion There are different types of local substances used in the Ilorin South Local Government Area for various reasons. This paper proffers, amongst others, that there is a need for regulating bodies in charge of drug control to extend their surveillance beyond orthodox to reduce local substance use.

Simulated Spectral Strategy to Enhance Numerical Tobacco Blending Based on Near-Infrared (NIR) Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy and Calibration Transfer

Near-infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, with the characteristics of simplicity, speed, and nondestructive analysis, has been frequently used in tobacco blending design and maintenance. Its main function is to identify the appropriate combination from hundreds of types of tobacco leaves to match the target formula. Due to the large number of combinations of tobacco leaves, preparing so many blended samples of tobacco powder with different proportions and measuring their spectra are time-consuming, laborious, and costly. Therefore, a novel strategy of simulated spectra based upon calibration transfer is proposed to substitute for the measured spectra without preparing these tobacco powder blended samples. Five and nine single-grade tobacco powder blending experimental results showed that the substitutive spectra for a massive tobacco powder blended samples may be obtained in a short time according to the established calibration transfer models between measured and simulated spectra of a small number of blended samples. Moreover, with the help of calibration models built on the same spectrometer, the desired properties including reducing sugar, total sugar, potassium, starch, and total nitrogen of these tobacco mixtures are quickly predicted. In addition, transfer based on canonical correlation analysis and independent component analysis were superior to other approaches, respectively. The strategy of simulated spectra partially may replace powder blending and spectral analysis and may be considered to be a valuable and effective tool for computer-aided numerical tobacco blending.

CRITERIA FOR TOBACCO IDENTIFICATION FOR HOOKAH AND NON-TOBACCO MIXTURE FOR HEATING

Hookah tobacco is positioned as a “nicotine alternative” to traditional smoking, but the aerosol produced contains the same toxic components as cigarette smoke. Consumer properties and safety indicators of tobacco aerosol for hookah depend on the component composition of the tobacco mixture and the coal used. The main factor that has a physiological effect on the user of hookah tobacco or non-tobacco mixture for heating is the content of nicotine that passes into the aerosol. There is no single approach to the regulation of a segmental product, in addition, there are no standardized methods for generating and collecting aerosol. The smoking pattern on a laboratory smoking machine does not fully reflect the behavioral profile of a person, however, the quantitative composition of the aerosol obtained from machine testing can be used as input to determine the risk of the product. During the research, laboratory and analytical equipment was used: CERULEAN SM 405 linear smoking machine; "Expert-001-1(0.1)" ionomer, SF-16 spectrophotometer, Crystal 2000M / HP 5890 Series 11 chromatograph with FID. Experimental data have been obtained to evaluate consumer and physic-chemical parameters, including organoleptic evaluation, the content of nicotine, glycerin and propylene glycol in samples of tobacco for hookah / non-tobacco mixture for heating. The method of machine generation and collection of the solid-liquid phase of an aerosol has been standardized, which makes it possible to obtain reliable data on the quantitative content of nicotine in the produced aerosol. The content of nicotine in the samples is 0.1–1.9%, the transition of nicotine into the produced aerosol is insignificant. The microscopy method for determining the structure of the base (carrier) in combination with the determination of consumer properties (organoleptic evaluation, total content of glycerol and propylene glycol, pH and nicotine content) are tools for identifying tobacco or non-tobacco hookah products.

Toxic damage of the optic nerve by smoking a tobacco mixture using a hookah

Recent years have seen an increase in tobacco mixture smokers using hookahs. Dangerous substances released during smoking cause substantial harm to the entire body, and bring about visual impairment with toxic optical neuropathy. Eye structures which are the most susceptible to toxin damage are the cells of the optic nerve and retina. Substances released when smoking hookah tobacco mixtures have a direct neurotoxic impact on the optic nerve and cause metabolic damage to the retinal nerve fiber layer and ganglion cells. Timely detection of this damage is complicated by the similarity of its clinical picture with other optic nerve diseases, which requires a thorough differential diagnosis.

POST-OPERATIVE VISUAL PROGNOSIS IN SENILE CATARACT IN TOBACCO CONSUMERS: COMMUNITY BASED STUDY IN LUCKNOW, UTTAR PRADESH

Tobacco use is a leading cause of chronic diseases in India. It kills almost 1.3 million people every year. The country is the second largest producer and consumer of cigarettes. The use of tobacco is very easy to start and is available at very low prices. One of the biggest threats to public health is tobacco use. It leads to the deaths of thousands of people and has a heavy social and economic cost. There are around 267 million tobacco users in India. The most common type of tobacco used by Indians is smokeless tobacco. Khaini, which is a tobacco mixture used by almost every ninth adult, is followed by bidi smoking and gutkha tobacco. According to the Global Adult tobacco Survey, around 11% of Indian adults smoke cigarettes. This is a community-based study involving 626 patients having Immature cataracts with H/O chronic tobacco use from rural population of central Uttar Pradesh in North India coming from low Socio-economic strata with no major Ocular pathology who underwent Cataract surgery (Manual Small incision cataract surgery/Phacoemulsification) with best input in form of surgical techniques & skills, equipment’s material used and uncomplicated surgeries. Serum Vitamin B6, Folic acid and B12 levels were checked to assess nutritional status of these patients. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) preoperatively as well as postoperatively was disproportionate to the grade of cataract and best surgical input. The visual outcome in these patients was not very good. BCVA (Best corrected visual acuity) is 70% poor and only 30% is good. There was color vision deficiency and Visual field defects in most of the patients.

Beyond Gutka: Evidence of Illegal Smokeless Tobacco in Rural and Semi-urban Areas in India.

IntroductionGutka, a popular smokeless tobacco (SLT) product combining chewing tobacco, areca nut, and spices, was banned by states in India beginning in 2012. Gutka can be recreated by the user mixing twin packets of tobacco and spice mixtures. We examine the availability of premixed gutka, the sale of twin packets (chewing tobacco and spice mixture sold together but in separate packets) and whether SLT was sold without legally mandated health warning labels (HWLs), without the printed maximum retail price (MRP), and above the MRP.Aims and MethodsIn October/November of 2017, unique SLT packets were purchased using a systematic protocol in 25 localities with populations under 50 000 across five Indian states. Purchase information (location, twin packets, price paid) and packaging information (SLT type, printed MRP, type of HWL) were used to assess legality.ResultsOf the 240 purchases of unique SLT packets, three were premade gutka. Twin packets were half of the sample, sold in every state, and illegally sold in Maharashtra where they were banned. Over half (62%) of single packets and 27% of twin packets did not feature a legal HWL. While only 5% of packets did not have a printed MRP, 29% of single packets, and 38% of twin packets were sold illegally for more than the MRP.ConclusionsSLT without the proper HWL or sold above the MRP were common. Twin packets were widely available. India should consider a country-wide restriction to ban single serving tobacco packets that would decrease affordability.ImplicationsThis study is the earliest and that first outside of Mumbai that we are aware of to present evidence of tobacco products being sold above the MRP in India. While finding little evidence of premade gutka being sold, we found twin packets (chewing tobacco and spice mixture packets sold together) are widely available even in Maharashtra, which has a policy in place to ban twin packets. This study also finds evidence of SLT products sold without the correct HWL and without a MRP listed which shows that implementation and enforcement of regulations are as important as passing regulations.

Evaluation of Various Factors Which Motivate Children in Ashram Schools of Central India Region to Consume Tobacco Products.

BackgroundTobacco is consumed in myriad forms in India. The rural population has to bear the brunt of smokeless tobacco products. This leads to several complications. More so, among the rural population, this habit comes into practice at a very young age.Aims and objectivesTo determine the prevalence of consumption of tobacco products among young adolescents, at the same time to evaluate the psychological motivation factors for the same.Materials and methodsA sample of 2,000 students of the ashram schools was given a detailed questionnaire which included the questions regarding accessibility, liking, source of motivation, and fear of health hazards.Statistical analysisThe statistical analysis was done using the Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS version 22, Armonk, NY: IBM Corp). Depending on the nature of the data, descriptive statistics were performed to assess the prevalence of tobacco consumption and motivational factors associated with it.ResultsThe prevalence of tobacco consumption among children was 37.2%. Fifty-one percent of the tobacco users consumed kharra (a mixture of tobacco, lime, areca nut). Forty percent of the tobacco users began using tobacco after the age of 10 years. For 65% of the individuals’ tobacco products were easily accessible.ConclusionWith the findings of the study, it can be concluded that the easy accessibility to the products in the rural areas is responsible for the children to indulge in such a harmful habit.Clinical significanceThis study focused on the factors that motivate the school-going children in the ashram schools to consumption of various tobacco products. This can give a clear insight as to what measures need to be taken to curb such a problem.How to cite this articleSharma P, Kalaskar R. Evaluation of Various Factors Which Motivate Children in Ashram Schools of Central India Region to Consume Tobacco Products. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2021;14(4):554–557.

Investigation of qualitative indicators of non-tobacco nicotine-containing shisha mixtures: consumer characteristics and nicotine content

Shisha tobacco and non-tobacco nicotine-containing shisha mixtures are an alternative way of consuming nicotine with a potential reduction in toxicological risk apart from smoking cigarettes. The Federal Law of July 31, 2020 N 303-FZ «On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation on the Protection of Citizens’ Health from the Consequences of Consuming Nicotine-Containing Products» [1] equated the consumption of nicotine-containing products with the traditional use of tobacco. The absence of state regulation predetermines the relevance of conducting large-scale studies of both shisha tobacco and non-tobacco nicotine-containing shisha mixtures. The specificity of the product consumption in this segment is the production of a highly dispersed aerosol that occurs without the combustion / smoldering process. The variety of the ingredient composition of nicotine-containing shisha mixtures determines the consumer properties and the toxic load of the aerosol produced. Assessment of the toxic effects of an aerosol should take into account the concentration of the ingredients in the mixture, the nicotine content and their transfer to the aerosol. The methods for determining the composition of nicotine-containing products have been updated in the laboratory of technology for the production of tobacco products of the FSBSI RSRITTP [2] over the past years. The article presents the results of studies to determine the content of glycerin and propyl- ene glycol, which determine the consumer properties of the product and nicotine as the main factor that determines the potential level of toxic risk of the product in shisha tobacco and non-tobacco nicotine-containing shisha mixture. The result of the research: the dependence of the tasting assessment on the content of VG glycerin in the ingredient composition of the mixture has been revealed. Insufficient glycerin content is the reason for the weak ability to form a saturated dense aerosol. The content of nicotine in the studied samples of shisha mixture has been determined and transition of nicotine into aerosol has been established.

Metabolomics-based analysis of miniature flask contents identifies tobacco mixture use among the ancient Maya

A particular type of miniature ceramic vessel locally known as “veneneras” is occasionally found during archaeological excavations in the Maya Area. To date, only one study of a collection of such containers successfully identified organic residues through coupled chromatography–mass spectrometry methods. That study identified traces of nicotine likely associated with tobacco. Here we present a more complete picture by analyzing a suite of possible complementary ingredients in tobacco mixtures across a collection of 14 miniature vessels. The collection includes four different vessel forms and allows for the comparison of specimens which had previously formed part of museum exhibitions with recently excavated, untreated containers. Archaeological samples were compared with fresh as well as cured reference materials from two different species of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum and N. rustica). In addition, we sampled six more plants which are linked to mind-altering practices through Mesoamerican ethnohistoric or ethnographic records. Analyses were conducted using UPLC-MS metabolomics-based analytical techniques, which significantly expand the possible detection of chemical compounds compared to previous biomarker-focused studies. Results include the detection of more than 9000 residual chemical features. We trace, for the first time, the presence of Mexican marigold (Tagetes lucida) in presumptive polydrug mixtures.

Cross-Sectional Study to Estimate Dependence among Tobacco Smokers Attending a Tertiary Care Government Hospital in Bhavnagar, Western India

Background: India is one of the countries where addiction to tobacco smoking is rampant. The consumption of tobacco products is quite high in the Bhavnagar region in the western part of India. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional hospital-based study among 112 current tobacco smokers aged ≥18 years in April-May 2019 at Sir Takhtsinhji hospital in Bhavnagar. Fourteen smokers from each ward of the hospital were enrolled from eight randomly selected wards. Dependence was assessed using the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence, with a score of ≥5 labelled as high dependence. Results: Among the 112 current smokers, 79% (95% confidence interval 70%-85%) were dependent on tobacco smoking. One-fourth of the smokers belonged to the age group of 51-60 years.“Mawa” (a mixture of tobacco, betel nut and lime) was the most commonly consumed smokeless form of tobacco among the smokers. Mean expenditure on tobacco smoking was Indian Rupees 460. Those who had stress had 7 times higher odds (95% CI 3-23) of being dependent on tobacco smoking than their counterparts. Conclusion: We conclude from the study that patients attending our hospital are highly dependent on tobacco smoking. Tobacco cessation activities in the form of provider-initiated counselling and treatment is warranted. Further research should focus on evaluating the implementation modalities and effectiveness of such provider-initiated activities.

Quantification of nitromethane in mainstream smoke using gas chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry.

Nitromethane is a volatile organic compound categorized as a Group 2B carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. It has been detected in mainstream cigarette smoke, but few reliable methods have been reported for accurate quantification. We developed, a sensitive, selective, fully validated method for the targeted determination of nitromethane in mainstream tobacco smoke in ten U.S. domestic brands and two quality control materials (3R4F and CM6). The vapor phase portion of machine-generated cigarette mainstream smoke, under modified ISO 3308:2000 regime (ISO) and modified intense regime (HCI), from single cigarettes was collected using airtight polyvinylfluoride sampling bags. The bags' contents were extracted using methanol containing an isotopically labeled internal standard followed by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. This approach is sufficiently sensitive to measure nitromethane levels in the nanogram range, with a method limit of detection of 72.3 ng/cig. Within-product variability estimated from the replicate analysis of 10 products ranged from 4.6%-16.3% (n = 6) over the two different smoking regimes, and method reproducibility estimated from two products used as quality control materials (3R4F and CM6) yielded intermediate precision values ranging from 16.6 to 20.8% (n = 20). Under HCI, nitromethane yields in machine-generated cigarette smoke from ten different domestic cigarette products ranged from 3.2 to 12 μg/cig; under ISO yields ranged from 1.6 to 4.9 μg/cig under standardized smoking machine conditions. Nitromethane yields are related to both the smoke regime (blocking of vent holes, puff duration and puff volume) and the heterogeneity of tobacco mixtures. This method provides a selective and fully validated technique to accurately quantify nitromethane in mainstream cigarette smoke, with minimal waste generation. It is an improvement over previous methods with regards to specificity, throughput, and simplicity of the sample collection process.

Microbiological screening of tobacco raw materials for rolling of cigarettes

In the modern market of tobacco products worldwide, there is a trend towards increased consumption and trade in cut tobacco for manual rolling of cigarettes (RYO tobacco), including and from unregulated producers. This hides additional risks for the health of the consumers due to the possibility to use low-quality and uncontrolled raw materials, including and with increased presence of pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic microorganisms.The aim of the study was to determine the total amount of heterotrophic bacteria (microbial count), the amount of microscopic fungi and the most common species in the raw material for tobacco RYO, distributed on the Bulgarian market.The microbiological analyzes were performed by classical methods accepted in sanitary microbiology. In all samples, spores of the genus Bacillus showed mass development, and according to the macro-morphological characteristics of the colonies, the predominant species can be attributed to B. cereus. The detected amounts of microscopic fungi in the tested tobacco mixtures were significant at strong presence of species of the genus Aspergillus, over 85.48%. Macroscopically, species were defined as A. flavus (41.94%), A. niger (27.42%) and A. fumigatum (16.13%). The relative share of species of the genus Penicillium was 9.68% and of species of the genus Mucor -4.84%. The studied tobacco raw material for manual rolling of cigarettes had significant contamination by microorganisms that had the rank of pathogens. Quantitative microbial assessment suggests a potential health risk for consumers.