Studies on the local and systemic carcinogenicity of topically applied smoke condensate from a substitute smoking material.

The topical carcinogenicity to mouse skin of smoke condensates obtained from a tobacco substitute (NSM), alone or in combination with tobacco, has been compared with condensate from tobacco and with acetone, the solvent used. Sixteen different types of cigarette were used to make the condensates, and the age-standardized results have been analysed according to the Weibull distribution model. The results show that NSM condensate has less than 25% of the potency of tobacco condensate (37% at 95% upper confidence limit), and that condensates from blends of NSM and tobacco are similarly reduced in activity. General pathology analysis failed to reveal abnormalities due to NSM.