A comprehensive evaluation of the toxicology of experimental, non-filtered cigarettes manufactured with different circumferences.

CONTEXT

Historical work indicates that cigarette circumference may affect the toxicological profile of experimental cigarettes.

OBJECTIVE

Studies were conducted to examine the effect of different cigarette circumferences on (1) selected mainstream smoke constituents including concentrations of tobacco specific nitrosamines (TSNA) in smoke and (2) mutagenicity and cytotoxicity of cigarette smoke condensate.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Analytical chemistry, Salmonella mutagenicity and cytotoxicity assays were used to evaluate the composition and biological activity of mainstream smoke from experimental, non-filtered cigarettes manufactured with four different circumferences (17.0-27.1 mm).

RESULTS

Most smoke constituents, including TSNA, decreased with decreasing cigarette circumference; however, amounts of hydrogen cyanide increased in a non-circumference dependent manner. Mutagenicity and cytotoxicity also decreased slightly with decreasing cigarette circumference.

CONCLUSION

Cigarette circumference may have a minor role in the toxicological profile of experimental cigarettes, with a so-far-unidentified mechanism.