Expanding clinical laboratory tobacco product evaluation methods to loose-leaf tobacco vaporizers

Abstract

Background Novel tobacco products entering the US market include electronic cigarettes (ECIGs) and products advertised to “heat, not burn” tobacco. There is a growing literature regarding the acute effects of ECIGs. Less is known about “heat, not burn” products. This study’s purpose was to expand existing clinical laboratory methods to examine, in cigarette smokers, the acute effects of a “heat, not burn” “loose-leaf tobacco vaporizer” (LLTV). Methods Plasma nicotine and breath carbon monoxide (CO) concentration and tobacco abstinence symptom severity were measured before and after two 10-puff (30-sec interpuff interval) product use bouts separated by 60 minutes. LLTV effects were compared to participants’ own brand (OB) cigarettes and an ECIG (3.3 V; 1.5 Ohm; 18 mg/ml nicotine). Results Relative to OB, LLTV increased plasma nicotine concentration to a lesser degree, did not increase CO, and appeared to not reduce abstinence symptoms as effectively. Relative to ECIG, LLTV nicotine and CO delivery and abstinence symptom suppression did not differ. Participants reported that both the LLTV and ECIG were significantly less satisfying than OB. Conclusions Results demonstrate that LLTVs are capable of delivering nicotine and suppressing tobacco abstinence symptoms partially; acute effects of these products can be evaluated using existing clinical laboratory methods. Results can inform tobacco product regulation and may be predictive of the extent that these products have the potential to benefit or harm overall public health.

Awareness and interest in IQOS heated tobacco products among youth in Canada, England and the USA

“…More recently, a new generation of vapourised products has emerged which are often referred to as ‘heated’ tobacco sticks or ‘heated tobacco products’ (HTPs). Like e-cigarettes, these products use heat to volatilise nicotine below the point of combustion, so that consumers inhale an aerosol rather than smoke 1. Unlike e-cigarettes, which heat nicotine from a liquid solution, HTPs heat cigarette-like tobacco ‘sticks’.…”

“…Unlike e-cigarettes, which heat nicotine from a liquid solution, HTPs heat cigarette-like tobacco ‘sticks’. The constituents of the tobacco sticks that are heated and the type of heating device can vary across brands and product platforms 1. In essence, HTPs occupy a position in the nicotine spectrum between conventional ‘smoked’ cigarettes and e-cigarettes: their tobacco substrate resembles that of regular cigarettes, while their mechanism of delivering nicotine primarily through aerosol resembles that of e-cigarettes.…”

An online survey of users of tobacco vaporizers, reasons and modes of utilization, perceived advantages and perceived risks

“…Unlike e-cigarettes that heat liquids that can contain nicotine, tobacco vaporizers heat tobacco. The nicotine supplied by some vaporizers reaches the bloodstream at a speed approaching the delivery speed achieved by inhaling cigarette smoke [22], but at lower concentration [22, 23].…”

Heat or Burn? Impacts of Intrauterine Tobacco Smoke and E-Cigarette Vapor Exposure on the Offspring’s Health Outcome

“…Philip Morris International Inc. (New York, NY, USA), developed the iQOS, currently the most popular device, and claims it produces no second-hand smoke [ 125 ]. Research suggests that this type of device delivers similar or less nicotine to the user compared with filter top tobacco cigarettes, whereas the toxin levels such as tobacco-specific nitrosamines were reduced to one fifth and carbon monoxide was one hundredth, as well as other carcinogenic chemicals [ 10 , 125 , 126 , 127 , 128 , 129 ]. However, it generally induced less satisfaction compared with the conventional tobacco cigarette [ 127 , 130 , 131 , 132 ].…”