Surveillance of Nicotine and pH in Cigarette and Cigar Filler

Abstract

Objective We examined differences between nicotine concentrations and pH in cigarette and cigar tobacco filler. Methods Nicotine and pH levels for 50 cigarette and 75 cigar brands were measured. Non-mentholated and mentholated cigarette products were included in the analysis along with several cigar types as identified by the manufacturer: large cigars, pipe tobacco cigars, cigarillos, mini cigarillos, and little cigars. Results There were significant differences found between pH and nicotine for cigarette and cigar tobacco products. Mean nicotine concentrations in cigarettes (19.2 mg/g) and large cigars (15.4 mg/g) were higher than the other cigars types, especially the pipe tobacco cigars (8.79 mg/g). The mean pH for cigarettes was pH 5.46. Large cigars had the highest mean pH value (pH 6.10) and pipe tobacco cigars had the lowest (pH 5.05). Conclusions Although cigarettes are the most common combustible tobacco product used worldwide, cigar use remains popular. Our research provides a means to investigate the possibility of distinguishing the 2 tobacco product types and offers information on nicotine and pH across a wide range of cigarette and cigar varieties that may be beneficial to help establish tobacco policies and regulations across product types.

Cross-Sectional Association Between Exclusive and Concurrent Use of Cigarettes, ENDS, and Cigars, the Three Most Popular Tobacco Products, and Wheezing Symptoms Among U.S. Adults

“…17 However, cigar smokers report that they do not inhale the smoke into their lungs, likely due to the alkaline pH, which allows the nicotine to be readily absorbed across the oral mucosa. 17 , 18 In comparison, cigarette smoke is more acidic and thus less readily absorbed in the oral mucosa. 17 , 18 Therefore, inhalation into the lungs provides a larger surface area for the nicotine in cigarette smoke to be absorbed.…”

“…17 , 18 In comparison, cigarette smoke is more acidic and thus less readily absorbed in the oral mucosa. 17 , 18 Therefore, inhalation into the lungs provides a larger surface area for the nicotine in cigarette smoke to be absorbed. 17 Cigarette smoke has a lower pH than mini-cigarillos, filtered cigars, cigarillos, and large cigars.…”

“…17 Cigarette smoke has a lower pH than mini-cigarillos, filtered cigars, cigarillos, and large cigars. 18 In addition, the frequency of cigarette and ENDS use has been shown to affect toxicant exposure, 19 which may be true for cigar use. Furthermore, cigars have been shown to differ between cigar types and when compared to cigarettes.…”

A Survey of Nicotine Yields in Small Cigar Smoke: Influence of Cigar Design and Smoking Regimens

“…24,26 Despite the physical and usage similarity between small cigars and cigarettes, only a few studies have examined small cigar products and smoke characteristics. [27][28][29][30][31][32][33] In a recent study, a large range (10.3-19.1 mg/g) was found in the nicotine content of small cigar tobacco, but, on average, concentrations (12.6 mg/g) were lower than those in cigarettes (19.2 mg/g). 31 Up-to-date data on nicotine yield in mainstream smoke collected under different standardized smoking regimens are available for commercial cigarettes [34][35][36] but not for cigars currently marketed in the United States.…”

“…[27][28][29][30][31][32][33] In a recent study, a large range (10.3-19.1 mg/g) was found in the nicotine content of small cigar tobacco, but, on average, concentrations (12.6 mg/g) were lower than those in cigarettes (19.2 mg/g). 31 Up-to-date data on nicotine yield in mainstream smoke collected under different standardized smoking regimens are available for commercial cigarettes [34][35][36] but not for cigars currently marketed in the United States. Thus, the main aim of this study was to measure nicotine in the mainstream smoke from a convenience sample of small cigars under the two most common smoking regimens: International Organization of Standardization (ISO) and Canadian Intense (CI) in order to compare nicotine yields with those from cigarettes.…”