RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Free radicals and carbonyls produced by electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) have the potential to inflict oxidative stress. Recently, Juul e-cigs have risen drastically in popularity; however, there is no data on nicotine and oxidant yields from this new e-cig design. METHODS: Aerosol generated from four different Juul flavors was analyzed for carbonyls, nicotine, and free radicals. The e-liquids were analyzed for propylene glycol (PG) and glycerol (GLY) concentrations. To determine the effects of e-liquid on oxidant production, Juul pods were refilled with nicotine-free 30:70 or 60:40 PG:GLY with or without citral. RESULTS: No significant differences were found in nicotine (164 ± 41 µg/puff), free radical (5.85 ± 1.20 pmol/puff), formaldehyde (0.20 ± 0.10 µg/puff), and acetone (0.20 ± 0.05 µg/puff) levels between flavors. The PG:GLY ratio in e-liquids was ~30:70 across all flavors with GLY being slightly higher in tobacco and mint flavors. In general, when Juul e-liquids were replaced with nicotine-free 60:40 PG:GLY, oxidant production increased up to 190% and, with addition of citral, increased even further. CONCLUSIONS: Juul devices produce free radicals and carbonyls, albeit, at levels substantially lower than those observed in other e-cig products, an effect only partially because of a low PG:GLY ratio. Nicotine delivery by these devices was as high as or higher than the levels previously reported from cigarettes. IMPLICATIONS: These findings suggest that oxidative stress and/or damage resulting from Juul use may be lower than that from cigarettes or other e-cig devices; however, the high nicotine levels are suggestive of a greater addiction potential.
Assuntos
Sistemas Eletrônicos de Liberação de Nicotina , Radicais Livres/análise , Nicotina/análise , Estresse Oxidativo/fisiologia , Aromatizantes/administração & dosagem , Aromatizantes/análise , Radicais Livres/administração & dosagem , Humanos , Nicotina/administração & dosagem , Estresse Oxidativo/efeitos dos fármacos , Propilenoglicol/administração & dosagem , Propilenoglicol/análiseRESUMO
Introduction: Little cigars and filtered cigars are currently growing in popularity due to their low cost and wide variety of flavors while retaining an appearance similar to cigarettes. Given the health consequences associated with cigarette use, it is important to understand the potential harm associated with these similar products. This includes the potential harm associated with carbonyls (eg, acetaldehyde, acrolein, formaldehyde, etc.), an important class of toxicants and carcinogens in tobacco smoke. Our objective was to determine the carbonyl levels in mainstream smoke from little and filtered cigars compared to cigarettes. Methods: We examined two brands each of little cigars and filtered cigars, as well as two research cigarettes for carbonyl delivery using the International Organization of Standards (ISO) and the Health Canada Intense (HCI) machine-smoking protocols. Results: On a per puff basis, the levels of five of the seven carbonyls were higher from little cigars than filtered cigars and cigarettes (ISO: 56-116%; HCI: 39-85%; p < .05). On a per unit basis, most carbonyl levels were higher from both cigar types than cigarettes using the ISO method (ISO: 51-313%; p < .05) whereas only filtered cigars were higher using the HCI method (HCI: 53-99%; p < .05). Conclusion: These findings suggest that cigar smokers can be exposed to higher levels of carbonyls per cigar than cigarette smokers per cigarette. Implications: These data will increase our understanding of the relative harm from carbonyl exposure from little and filtered cigars both for cigar-only smokers and the cumulative harm among the growing population of cigarette-cigar multi-product smokers.
Assuntos
Aldeídos/análise , Monóxido de Carbono/análise , Fumaça/análise , Produtos do Tabaco/análise , Aldeídos/química , Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Pressão , Humanos , Espectrofotometria UltravioletaRESUMO
Introduction: Although the popularity of small cigar brands that resemble cigarettes, including both little cigars (LC) and filtered cigars (FC), has been on the rise, little is known about the delivery of nicotine from these products. Our objective was to determine the nicotine yields of small cigars in comparison to cigarettes. Methods: Nicotine yields from LC, FC, and 3R4F and 1R6F research cigarettes were determined from mainstream smoke generated on a smoking machine under the International Organization of Standardization (ISO) and Canadian Intense (CI) methods. Market characteristics (price and package label) and physical features (filter ventilation, product weight and filter weight, product length, and diameter) were also determined for eight brands of small cigars. Results: Nicotine yields in small cigars averaged 1.24 and 3.49 mg/unit on ISO and CI regimens, respectively, compared with 0.73 and 2.35 mg/unit, respectively, for the research cigarettes. Nicotine yields per puff were similar between small cigars and cigarettes. We also found that FC did not differ from LC in nicotine yields. FC and LC differ from each other in many physical design features (unit weight, filter weight, and filter length), but are similar in others (unit length, diameter, and filter ventilation). Conclusions: Nicotine delivery from small cigars is similar to or greater than that from cigarettes. Thus, for future research and regulatory purposes, standard definitions need to be developed for small cigars, and FC and LC should be evaluated as separate entities. Implications: Small cigars are similar to cigarettes in their design and use. Although nicotine yields per puff were similar between products, small cigars delivered substantially higher amounts of nicotine per unit than cigarettes. These findings support the growing body of evidence to justify regulating all small cigars, including LC and FC in a similar fashion as cigarettes.