Nicotine Content from Cigarettes Submerged in Soda

Abstract

Introduction Cigarettes and other tobacco products may be extinguished by submersion in liquids in beverage cans or bottles. Cases of nicotine poisoning in children have been reported following ingestion of such liquids. The aim of this study is to analyze the variability of nicotine concentrations with respect to number of cigarettes immersed and the duration of immersion in a soda can Methods One unsmoked cigarette was immersed in a cola containing soda can. Three separate samples of the mixture were obtained at different intervals of time post immersion up to 1 week. At the same time, a set of four cola cans were immersed with an increasing number of unsmoked cigarettes and samples obtained. All the samples were then analyzed for nicotine concentrations using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. ResultsThe mean concentration of nicotine measured over the course of 6 hours from one full cigarette in 55 ml of a cola beverage was 0.48 mg/ml. Nicotine concentrations steadily increased in the first 6 hours following submersion, after which, the levels plateaued (r = 0.530, n = 18, p = 0.024). There was a strong positive correlation between nicotine concentrations and the number of cigarettes (r = 0.967, n = 12, p = 3e−7). Conclusions The mean concentration of nicotine measured over the course of 6 hours from one immersed cigarette can be potentially toxic especially to children. Nicotine concentrations are positively correlated with the number of cigarettes and time of immersion.

Rationale for the use of N ‐acetylcysteine in both prevention and adjuvant therapy of COVID‐19

“…At doses as high as 150 mg/kg intravenously, NAC is extensively used and is in standard practice as a clinically approved antidote against paracetamol (acetaminophen) intoxication, and it is almost 100% effective if given within 8 hours postingestion. 15 Paracetamol overdosage may cause mitochondrial oxidative imbalance and nitrosative stress leading to liver injury, which is the most common cause of acute liver failure in many countries. 16 The intravenous administration of NAC is also used to prevent contrast-induced nephropathy that, again, is an inflammatory condition.…”

“…16 The intravenous administration of NAC is also used to prevent contrast-induced nephropathy that, again, is an inflammatory condition. 15 In addition, this pleiotropic drug has been proposed to attenuate the toxicity of various agents that cause the generation of free radicals as well as for the therapy and/or prevention of a variety of diseases involving GSH depletion and redox status alterations, such as heart diseases, diabetes, AIDS, neurodegenerative diseases, neuropsychiatric disorders, and several other conditions. 14,17…”

Bottom-up analysis of emergent properties of N-acetylcysteine as an adjuvant therapy for COVID-19

“…The side effects of oral NAC include stomatitis, nausea, vomiting, gastroesophageal reflux. If an anaphylactoid reaction occurs with intravenous NAC, then oral NAC may be used instead[ 45 , 46 ]. Bronchoconstriction and extended coughing, and worsening of asthma were the side effects of nebulized NAC[ 47 , 48 ].…”

“…It can be used in acetaminophen overdose and respiratory diseases like pneumonia, tracheobronchitis, cystic fibrosis, tracheostomy patients, postoperative pulmonary complications, and posttraumatic chest conditions. Its off-label uses are acute hepatic failure and prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy[ 45 ].…”

“…The treatment for acetaminophen overdose is NAC. It is proved that NAC's early administration within 8 to 24 h prevents mortality[ 45 ]. Interestingly, it has recently been suggested that a shorter 12-h regimen of NAC be used in these patients, instead of the conventional regimen of 20-21 h in duration.…”