High Particulate Matter Burden of Cigarettes from the United Arab Emirates and Germany: Are There Country-Specific Differences?

Abstract

Although the big tobacco companies offer the same cigarette brands across countries, little is known about the potential regional differences of the particulate matter (PM) emissions of apparently equal brands. PM emissions of three cigarette brands (Marlboro Gold, Winston Red resp. Classic, Parliament Platinum resp. Night Blue) from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Germany were analysed. Second-hand smoke was produced in a 2.88 m3 measuring cabin by an automatic environmental tobacco smoke emitter. PM size fractions PM10, PM2.5, and PM1 were detected in real-time using laser aerosol spectrometry. Depending on the PM fraction Marlboro cigarettes from UAE showed 33%–35% higher PM amounts. Moreover, Winston cigarettes from UAE showed distinctly higher PM values (28–31%) than the German counterparts. The “lighter” Parliament from UAE emitted 3%–9% more PM than the German one. The measured mean PM10 values laid between 778 and 1163 µg/m3 (mean PM2.5: 777–1161 µg/m3; mean PM1: 724–1074 µg/m3). That means smoking in enclosed rooms causes massive PM burden. The PM emission of equal or similar tobacco products from different countries can differ distinctly. Hence, the declaration of PM emission values, besides nicotine, tar, and carbon monoxide amounts, should be obligatory worldwide. Furthermore, complete information about the ingredients and production processes of tobacco products should be provided to health officials and the public. This can help to minimise or ban substances or product designs that make smoking even more harmful, and to enhance the awareness of the risks of smoking.

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

“…This difference is most probably caused by the larger interior volume of the car (3.709 m 3 ). The over 90-fold increase of PM 10 , PM 2.5 , and PM 1 under C1 compared to baseline measurements was expectable, as previous studies have already shown extremely high concentrations of PM in confined spaces 37 – 39 . Measured PM concentrations of C2 to C7 compared to C1 were significantly lower (see Supplementary Table S2 online).…”

The impact of second-hand smoke on nitrogen oxides concentrations in a small interior

“…The concentrations of NO, NO 2 , and NO x in SHS were measured of nine commercial cigarette brands (named cigarette A to I) and the 3R4F reference cigarette (Kentucky Tobacco Research and Development Center, University of Kentucky, USA) 26 . As the measurements took place during two PM investigations, the reference cigarettes (RC) were termed RC1 24 and RC2 25 . The cigarette brands A, C, and E were bought at the International Airport of Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), while the brands B, D, and F were from the International Airport of Frankfurt, Germany 25 .…”

“…As the measurements took place during two PM investigations, the reference cigarettes (RC) were termed RC1 24 and RC2 25 . The cigarette brands A, C, and E were bought at the International Airport of Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), while the brands B, D, and F were from the International Airport of Frankfurt, Germany 25 . Additionally, three mentholated cigarette brands (G, H, I) were tested, purchased at the central station, Frankfurt, Germany 24 .…”

“…Two valves controlled the air stream and pressed the 1). According to the ToPIQ studies [23][24][25] , all cigarettes were smoked following a modified protocol. Puff volume was 40 ml, and the flow rate was 13 ml/s.…”

“…The measurements were realized as part of the Tobacco Smoke Particles and Indoor Air Quality (ToPIQ) studies 23 at two PM investigations. The PM-related results of these studies are already described and published 24,25 .…”