Nicotine delivery from smoking bidis and an additive-free cigarette

Abstract

The present study was conducted to determine whether smoking bidis, an additive-free cigarette, and conventional cigarettes caused similar biochemical, physiological and subjective effects. This was an open-label, within-subject design. In each session, subjects (n = 10) smoked a single cigarette: an unfiltered Natural American Spirit, an unfiltered Irie bidi, an unfiltered Sher bidi, or one of the participant's own brand. The presentation of the cigarettes was randomized. Before and up to 1 h after smoking, biochemical markers [plasma nicotine levels and exhaled carbon monoxide (CO)] and physiological effects of nicotine (heart rate and blood pressure) were measured. After smoking, subjects completed two standardized tests of cigarette liking and cigarette sensations. American Spirit (32.1 ng/ml) and Irie bidi (26.0 ng/ml) cigarettes increased plasma nicotine more than the participant's own brand (18.5 ng/ml). Subjects smoked longer and took more puffs to consume the American Spirit (452.8 s, 14 puffs) and Sher bidi (354.4 s, 14 puffs) than the participant's own brand (297.4 s, 10 puffs). In spite of differences in nicotine delivery, participants rated all cigarettes as similar in nicotine content. Overall, the results indicate that bidis and the additive-free cigarette delivered nicotine, CO and (presumably) other toxic components of tobacco smoke in equal or greater amounts than conventional cigarettes. These results do not support an emerging belief that bidi cigarettes are safer than conventional brands.

Prevalence of alternative forms of tobacco use in a population of young adult military recruits

“…Concentrations of nicotine, tar, and other toxic elements of tobacco smoke have been found to be present in equal or higher amounts in bidis than traditional cigarettes (Malson, Lee, Moolchan, & Pickworth, 2002;Malson, Sims, Murty, & Pickworth, 2001;Rahman & Fukui, 2000). The acute physiologic and biochemical effects of bidis have also been shown to be similar to conventional cigarettes .…”

The Effects of Natural Cigarette Claims on Adolescents' Brand-Related Beliefs, Attitudes, and Intentions

“…Adolescents' processing of natural cigarette claims is expected to vary depending on the degree to which they question the veracity and meaning of these claims. Since the absence of additives (or presence of 100% tobacco) has not been shown to be a health benefit to consumers, such skepticism is in order (Malson et al, 2002). Consumers' persuasion knowledge (i.e., understanding of persuasion tactics) plays an important role in determining reactions to marketers' efforts, and in particular, the degree to which consumers carefully filter marketing communications (Friestad & Wright, 1994).…”

“…Promoters of ''natural'' cigarettes make use of claims regarding their inherent purity (e.g., ''natural,'' ''additive-free,'' ''100% Pure & Natural''), and youth may be especially susceptible to the implied health claims in these marketing communications (Arnett, 1999). Any such favorable health perceptions are particularly dangerous since natural cigarettes often deliver greater levels of nicotine and may be more addictive than regular cigarettes (Malson, Lee, Moolchan, & Pickworth, 2002). Concerns regarding natural claims extend beyond ordinary cigarettes to cigars, nonfiltered bidis (imported from India and other Southeast Asian countries), cloves, and smokeless tobacco (American Lung Association, 2007;Carpenter, Wayne, Pauly, Koh, & Connolly, 2005).…”

Quantitative comparisons between a nicotine delivery device (Eclipse) and conventional cigarette smoking

“…A composite of several items from the Duke Sensory Questionnaire was created to measure overall cigarette strength (puff strength on tongue, nose, mouth and throat, windpipe, and chest; maximum score~35, range~7-35) using techniques described by Malson, Lee, Moolchan, & Pickworth (2002).…”