Safety Of Cigarettes Research Articles

Effects of the grade/price and thickness of cigarette on the PM2.5 concentration of smoke.

In an attempt to promote sales of high-grade/price and slim cigarettes with lower tar and nicotine content, the State Tobacco Monopoly Administration (STMA) also known as the China National Tobacco Corporation (CNTC), whose monopoly controls all aspects of tobacco production, marketing, and distribution in China, have advertised them as safe cigarettes that cause less tobacco smoke pollution (TSP). However, cigarette smoke contains thousands of harmful components, and the effects of only tar and nicotine cannot be used to represent TSP. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of cigarette grade/price and size on TSP by measuring PM2.5 concentrations for three different grades/prices and two sizes of popular cigarettes in China. The results showed that cigarette grade/price did not significantly affect PM2.5 levels in regular (R) or slim (S) cigarettes in either sidestream or mainstream smoke. However, cigarette size had a significant effect on PM2.5 levels, with R cigarette PM2.5 being 116% higher than S cigarette PM2.5 in sidestream smoke. In mainstream smoke, this difference decreased to 31%, although R-cigarette PM2.5 levels remained higher. While S cigarette PM2.5 levels were lower than those of R cigarettes, this did not necessarily mean that S cigarettes were less harmful. The harmfulness of smoke is not only manifested in PM2.5 but also in other particulate matter such as PM10 and PM1.0. At the same time, it is also affected by smoking habits. Therefore, further experiments are required to evaluate the potential harmfulness of S cigarettes.

Effect of heated tobacco products and traditional cigarettes on pulmonary toxicity and SARS-CoV-2-induced lung injury

Cigarette smoke (CS) significantly contributes to the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Heated tobacco products (HTPs), newly developed cigarette products, have been proposed as an alternative for safe cigarette smoking. Although it is plausible to think that replacing traditional cigarettes with HTPs would lower the risks of COPD, this notion requires confirmation by further investigations from sources independent of the tobacco industry. COPD is characterized by an ongoing inflammatory process in the lungs, and the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of COPD. Angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) functions as a negative regulator of RAS and has been suggested as a cellular receptor for the causative agent of SARS-CoV-2. It has been shown that smoking is most likely associated with the negative progression and adverse outcomes of SARS-CoV-2. In this study, we found that cigarette smoke extracts from traditional cigarettes (CSE) caused higher cytotoxicity and higher oxidative stress levels than extracts from HTPs (HTPE) in two lung cell lines (Calu-3 and Beas-2B). CSE and HTPE induced RAS activation, MAPK activation, and NF-kB inflammatory pathway activation, resulting in the production of inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, CSE and a high dose of HTPE reduced tight junction proteins, including claudin 1, E-cadherin, and ZO-1, and disrupted lung epidermal tight junctions at the air-liquid interface (ALI). Finally, CSE and HTPE enhanced the spike protein S1-induced lung injury response. Together, these results suggest that HTPE induced similar lung pathogenesis relevant to COPD and SARS-CoV-2-induced lung injury caused by CSE.

Personal Audio Systems Unsafe At Any Sound

Personal Audio Systems Unsafe At Any Sound

A review of tobacco abuse and its epidemiological consequences.

AimThe economic burden caused by death and disease in the world is credited mainly to tobacco use—currently linked to approximately 8,000,000 deaths per year with approximately 80% of these faralities reported in low and middle income economies. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that nearly 7,000,000 deaths are attributed to direct tobacco use, while approximately 1,200,000 non-smokers exposed to second hand cigarette smoke die every year. Accordingly, tobacco use is a major threat to the public health infrastructure; therefore, proper cessation interventions must be put in place to curb tobacco abuse and ease economic and social burdens caused by the tobacco epidemic.MethodsA systematic review was conducted to investigate how scientific efforts have been advanced towards harm reduction among smokers and non-smokers. Relevant articles published during the period 2010–2020 in PubMed, Crossref, Google scholar, and Web of Science were used in this study. The articles were selected based on health impacts of cigarette smoking, tobacco cessation and emerging diseases, including Covid−19. Various cessation strategies have been identified although their efficiency is yet to match the desired results.ResultsA series of carcinogenic chemicals are generated during cigarette smoking resulting in serious health complications such as cancer and mutagenesis. The precursors for tobacco induced diseases are toxic and carcinogenic chemicals of the nitrosamine type, aldehydes, polonium-210 and benzo[a]pyrene, which bio-accumulate in the body system during cigarette smoking to cause disease. Rehabilitation facilities, use of drugs to diminish the desire to smoke, heavy taxation of tobacco products and warning labels on cigarettes are some of the cessation strategies employed towards curbing tobacco abuse.ConclusionThe need for further research to develop better methods and research based policies for safe cigarette smoking and workable cessation strategies must be a priority in order to deal with the tobacco epidemic. Campaigns to promote tobacco cessation and abstinence are recommended in this review as a sure measure to mitigate against the deleterious impacts caused by cigarette smoking and tobacco abuse.

Heated tobacco products: the example of IQOS

Heated tobacco products (HTP) represent the latest in a long line of products tobacco companies have developed and marketed as less dangerous than conventional cigarettes, beginning with so-called ‘safer cigarettes’...

The impact of state fire safe cigarette policies on fire fatalities, injuries, and incidents.

Cigarettes are a leading cause of civilian deaths in home fires. Over the last decade, state fire service leaders and allied interest groups succeeded in persuading state lawmakers to require manufacturers to sell only low-ignition strength or "fire safe" cigarettes as a strategy to reduce these fatalities and the injuries and losses that stem from them. This article examines whether the states' fire safe cigarette laws actually helped to save lives, prevent injuries, and reduce the incidence of home fires ignited by cigarettes left unattended by smokers. Controlling for the effects of key demographic, social, economic, and housing variables, this study finds that the states' fire-safe cigarette policies had significant impacts on reducing the rate of smoking-related civilian fire deaths and the incidence of fires started by tobacco products. The findings also suggest that the states' fire safe cigarette policies may have helped to reduce the rate of smoking-related fire injuries. The study shows that collective actions by leaders in the fire service across the states can result in meaningful policy change that protects lives and advances public safety even when a political consensus for action is absent at the national level.

Are fire safe cigarettes actually fire safe? Evidence from changes in US state laws

ObjectiveTo estimate the effects of fire safe cigarette laws on fire mortality and cigarette-related fires in the USA.MethodsWe examined the gradual implementation of the laws to identify their average effects,...

The history of the pulmonary diffusing capacity for nitric oxide DL,NO

The DL,NO (TL,NO) had its unexpected origins in the Paris “events” of 1968 and the unsuccessful efforts of the UK tobacco industry in the 1970’s to create a “safer cigarette”. Adoption of the technique has been slow due to the instability of NO in air, lack of standardisation of the technique and lack of agreement as to whether DL,NO is equal to or merely reflects membrane diffusing capacity (DM). With the availability of inexpensive analysers, standardisation of the technique and publication of reference equations we believe that its worldwide use will increase.

Effectiveness of the Cigarette Ignition Propensity Standard in Preventing Unintentional Residential Fires in Massachusetts

We evaluated the Massachusetts Fire Safe Cigarette Law's (FSCL's) effectiveness in preventing residential fires. We examined unintentional residential fires reported to the Massachusetts Fire Incident Reporting System from 2004 to 2010. We analyzed FSCL effect on the likelihood of cigarette- versus noncigarette-caused fires and effect modification by fire scenario factors by using an interrupted time series regression model. We analyzed the effect of FSCL on monthly fire rates with Poisson regression. Cigarettes caused 1629 unintentional residential fires during the study period. The FSCL was associated with a 28% (95% confidence interval = 12%, 41%) reduction in the odds of cigarette- versus noncigarette-caused fires, although not in analyses restricted to casualty fires, with smaller sample size. The largest reductions were among fires in which human factors were involved; that were first ignited on furniture, bedding, or soft goods; that occurred in living areas; or that occurred in the summer or winter. The FSCL appears to have decreased the likelihood of cigarette-caused residential fires, particularly in scenarios for which the ignition propensity standard was developed. Current standards should be adopted, and the need for strengthening should be considered.

Whither tobacco product regulation?

Despite decades of industry innovation and regulatory efforts, the harmfulness of conventional cigarettes has not changed. There are several pitfalls in this area, including the long time lag before health...

Toxicological analysis of low-nicotine and nicotine-free cigarettes

Low-nicotine and nicotine-free cigarettes are commercially available under the brand-name Quest ®. Some consumers may believe that these are safer cigarettes, and they may smoke more cigarettes or inhale more smoke to compensate for low nicotine yields. Thus, we have studied the toxicological effects of these two cigarettes and compared them with the Kentucky reference cigarette 2R4F. Also, the availability of nicotine-free cigarettes allows for the assessing the role of nicotine in cigarette smoke. In addition to nicotine, some tobacco-specific nitrosamines, aldehydes, and volatile organic compounds were also reduced in the Quest ® cigarettes compared to the 2R4F. However, aromatic amines were higher in the nicotine-free compared with low nicotine cigarettes. The Ames test revealed that cigarette smoke condensates from the nicotine-free (CSC-F), low nicotine (CSC-L) and 2R4F (CSC-R) cigarettes had a similar mutagenic potency. Exposure to any CSC caused a similar dose-dependent LDH leakage from normal human bronchial epithelial cells. However, CSC-F had more inhibitory effects on the cell growth than CSC-L and CSC-R. Adding nicotine to the CSC-F attenuated this inhibition. Both Quest ® CSCs decreased gap junction intercellular communication and caused cell cycle arrest. CSC exposure increased cytoplasmic nucleosomes, sub-G1/G0 population and apoptotic comet tails. Proapoptotic protein Bax increased independent of p53 induction after exposure to CSC-F. In conclusion, these studies are not consistent with a perception that low-nicotine or nicotine-free cigarettes may have less toxicity in human cells. Nicotine, as it exists in CSC, attenuates cytotoxicity possibly in part through inhibition of apoptotic pathways.

Alchemy, the safer cigarette, and Philip Morris

20 years ago Philip Morris, the manufacturer of Marlboro cigarettes, noted in its annual report to shareholders that the company accounted for just 7% of worldwide cigarette sales, but added determinedly that “since our share of most international cigarette markets is still far below our US level, we have considerable room for future growth”.1 The prophetic rise in Philip Morris' market share of current global cigarette sales to 15·6% has culminated in the March spinoff of Philip Morris International (PMI).

Reducing Carcinogen Levels in Cigarette Smoke

In Response: Dr. Mirvish raises several timely and controversial issues that continue to be the focus of many vigorous discussions in the tobacco control community, often under the rubric of “harm reduction.” In 2006, WHO adopted the theme for World No Tobacco Day: “Tobacco: deadly in any form or disguise,” which supports the principle that there is no safe cigarette or smokeless tobacco—snus or otherwise. Currently, a WHO expert group, of which Dr. Hecht is a member, is in the process of finalizing a scholarly report that provides recommendations for “upper limits” for nitrosamines in combusted tobacco products. This document will provide guidance for countries interested and able to pursue tobacco product regulation. Basically, such product regulation looks to limit the morbidity and mortality of persistent use of a tobacco product. Current recommendations for public health policy are intended to be based on scientific evidence (1). The proposed recommendations for such upper limits are based on the precautionary premise resulting from data that currently exist that less must be better. We should never forget, however, “first, do no harm.” It is not known whether a recommended individual level of any specific constituent will result in decreased morbidity or mortality. Thus, product regulation recommendations must be couched in terms exemplified by the precautionary principle.In addition, there is no assurance that the tobacco industry will voluntarily solely market low-nitrosamine smokeless (or combusted) tobacco products. Product regulation by the appropriate agency in every country, such as the pending legislative effort in the United States, is necessary to attempt to assess and control the claims that the tobacco industry will be pursuing with ostensibly “safer” tobacco products. As concluded by the Institute of Medicine, the risk of reduced-harm products must be evaluated also at the population level where their introduction could delay quitting, reduce cessation, and increase initiation (2).The suggestion that reduced nitrate fertilizer be used by tobacco farmers is scientifically reasonable, but perhaps difficult to implement. The majority of countries in the world grow tobacco, and many of the tobacco farmers are quite poor, with little concern about the nitrate content versus the cost of the fertilizer. Reducing the use of nitrate fertilizer will need to be a requirement by the tobacco industries or regulated within the evolving policies emanating from the Framework Convention for Tobacco Control.Bottom line: Rather than recommending low-nitrosamine tobacco products as the method to reduce harm as Dr. Mirvish suggests, users should quit smoking and the use of smokeless tobacco. We can apply the precautionary principle and regulate the levels of nitrosamines, but there are no data to support that this reduction will reduce harm—yet. Funding for a safer cigarette should come from the tobacco industry, with federal oversight, not from the limited resources available for tobacco control and cancer research. The scientific community and regulatory agencies will need to evaluate any new evidence presented by the tobacco industry in support of claims for any purported “reduced-harm” tobacco products.

Regulating Cigarettes for Fire Safety

Cigarettes are the leading cause of residential fire fatalities in the United States, resulting in 700 to 900 deaths per year. Annual property damage is approximately $400 million, and the total annual economic loss is estimated to be nearly $4 billion including health care, lost productivity and pain and suffering. Despite these costs, cigarette manufacturers have not significantly reduced the ignition propensity of their products even after conducting extensive research into the matter. In response, several states have mandated reduced ignition performance standards for cigarettes. Section I of this article reviews the immense public harm resulting from cigarette-caused fires. Section II examines the regulatory structure, feasibility, compliance and implementation of fire safe cigarette legislation in the United States. Section III discusses litigation involving cigarette-caused fires. Section IV examines industry rhetoric and its stance against voluntarily and comprehensively reducing the ignition propensity of cigarettes. Section IV highlights current policy concerns and the movement towards a national standard through either state or national legislation.

Consumer acceptable risk: how cigarette companies have responded to accusations that their products are defective

Objective: To describe arguments used by cigarette companies to defend themselves against charges that their cigarettes were defective and that they could and should have done more to make cigarettes...

“Not safe” is not enough: smokers have a right to know more than there is no safe tobacco product

The right to health relevant information derives from the principles of autonomy and self direction and has been recognised in international declarations. Providing accurate health information is part of the...

FAIRCHILD AND COLGROVE RESPOND

We appreciate the thoughtful comments and concerns of Giovino, who was intimately involved in the Institute of Medicine’s (IOM’s) assessment of the scientific basis for tobacco harm reduction. We did not state, nor did we intend to imply, that the IOM report was primarily about less hazardous cigarettes. Further, we took care to describe the report as “endorsing harm reduction only ‘as a component of a comprehensive national tobacco control program that emphasizes abstinence-oriented prevention and treatment.’ ” We recognize that the term “safer cigarette” is problematic. But our purpose in the article was to analyze the historical evolution of public health thinking about “safer” products. The belief that such products were possible was central to that history, as was the use of the term “safer cigarettes.” We believe that others who, like us, are interested in how broadly the public health community defines harm reduction in the coming years and what place tobacco products will occupy within that framework will appropriately read the IOM report as stating the need to face squarely the challenge of tobacco-based products.

The case for fire safe cigarettes made through industry documents

Objectives: To examine the extensive research undertaken by the tobacco industry over the past 25 years toward development of a fire safe cigarette. Methods: Research was conducted through a web...

The Development and Significance of Standards for Smoking-Machine Methodology

Abstract Bialous and Yach have recently published an article in Tobacco Control in which they claim that all smoking-machine standards stem from a method developed unilaterally by the tobacco industry within the Cooperation Centre for Scientific Research Relative to Tobacco (CORESTA). Using a few highly selective quotations from internal tobacco company memos, they allege, inter alia, that the tobacco industry has changed the method to suit its own needs, that because humans do not smoke like machines the standards are of little value, and that the tobacco industry has unjustifiably made health claims about low “tar” cigarettes. The objectives of this paper are to review the development of smoking-machine methodology and standards, involvement of relative parties, outline the significance of the results and explore the validity of Bialous and Yach's claims. The large volume of published scientific information on the subject together with other information in the public domain has been consulted. When this information is taken into account it becomes obvious that the very narrow and restricted literature base of Bialous and Yach's analysis has resulted in them, perhaps inadvertedly, making factual errors, drawing wrong conclusions and writing inaccurate statements on many aspects of the subject. The first smoking-machine standard was specified by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), a federal government agency in the USA, in 1966. The CORESTA Recommended Method, similar in many aspects to that of the FTC, was developed in the late 1960s and published in 1969. Small differences in the butt lengths, smoke collection and analytical procedures in methods used in various countries including Germany, Canada and the UK, developed later, resulted in about a 10% difference in smoke “tar” yields. These differences in methodology were harmonised in a common International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) Standard Method in 1991, after a considerable amount of interlaboratory comparisons of the developing methodology had been undertaken by CORESTA. As acknowledged by Bialous and Yach, the purpose of the standards is to determine the “tar”, nicotine and carbon monoxide content of cigarette smoke when the cigarette is smoked under precisely defined conditions, and hence to allow a comparison of the yields from different cigarettes when smoked under identical conditions. Such yields are not predictive of the yields humans obtain when smoking, nor were they ever expected to be so, since no two smokers smoke exactly the same nor does a smoker smoke a cigarette the same way on every occasion. This purpose has been stated consistently many times, originally by the FTC in 1967 and subsequently in the scientific literature, published by the tobacco industry and health/regulatory authorities, over the last 35 years. From the 1950s onwards numerous public health scientists have advocated that lower “tar” cigarettes should be developed on the grounds that they may reduce to some extent the risks of smoking, while at the same time advocating that the best way to avoid risks is not to smoke. Some health authorities have have used the standard machine-smoking yields to set limits on “tar” as a way of reducing the health impact of cigarette use. The tobacco industry has co-operated with these health authorities by developing cigarettes with lower “tar” but has also followed public health advice by not advertising lower “tar” cigarettes as safe cigarettes. The available evidence, taken as a whole, indicates that compensation by smokers who switch from a high to a low “tar” cigarette is partial in the short term, and that such smokers do obtain a reduction in smoke component uptake.

Are All Types of Cooperation Equal? Impact of Academic Controversy Versus Concurrence-Seeking on Health Education

Cooperative learning is commonly used to promote prosocial outcomes. It is often assumed that all types of cooperative learning are equal. One way in which cooperative learning procedures differ is in the role of conflict. This study compares the relative impact of two types of cooperative learning (concurrence-seeking which emphasizes harmony among students and academic controversy which emphasizes intellectual conflict among students) on outcomes of a health education program focusing on tobacco use, alcohol use, and AIDS. Participants were 37 students from grades 9–12 in a career-education track in a suburban mid-western high school. The students were classified as being low performing academically and at risk for destructive health habits. Students in the controversy condition, compared with those in the concurrence-seeking condition, significantly improved in knowledge about AIDS, developed healthier attitudes related towards safe sex and cigarettes, developed higher academic self-esteem, generated greater social influence, and improved in constructive conflict skills.