A comprehensive evaluation of the toxicology of different cut widths of tobacco in experimental cigarettes.

CONTEXT

Literature suggests that the width of tobacco strips in cigarettes may affect the smoke chemistry and toxicology of such products.

OBJECTIVE

A comprehensive analysis of smoke from experimental cigarettes can be used to determine whether different cut widths of tobacco result in different toxicological activity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A battery of tests was used to compare the chemistry and in vitro and in vivo toxicology of smoke from experimental cigarettes made with tobacco cut to different widths.

RESULTS

Different cut widths of tobacco did not elicit consistent and significant differences in cigarette smoke chemistry, responses in in vitro mutagenicity or cytotoxicity assays or most endpoints in 90-d rat inhalation studies. Of note, however, were atypical in-life observations and slightly depressed body weights observed in two rat inhalation studies.

CONCLUSION

Most of our data indicate that different cut widths of tobacco used in cigarettes are unlikely to change the toxicity of mainstream cigarette smoke; however, without additional investigation, the atypical in-life observations and depression in body weights cast doubt on the toxicological acceptability of cutting the tobacco into wider shreds.