Comparison of nicotine emissions rate, “nicotine flux”, from heated, electronic and combustible tobacco products: data, trends and recommendations for regulation.
Introduction:
This text provides an analysis of nicotine emissions from various tobacco products, including heated, electronic, and combustible tobacco products. The authors compare nicotine yield and nicotine flux (the rate of nicotine emission per second) and offer recommendations for regulation.
Key points:
* Nicotine flux varies widely across tobacco products, from less than 0.1 µg/s to more than 100 µg/s.
* Since 2015, the upper limit of the ENDS nicotine flux range has risen significantly and is now approaching that of combustible cigarettes.
* Products that differ in nicotine flux may exhibit similar nicotine yields due to differences in user puffing behavior.
* Nicotine flux is a tool that can be used to regulate nicotine emissions of tobacco products, including ENDS.
* Nicotine yield and nicotine flux are not closely coupled in ENDS products, unlike combustible cigarettes.
* a flux standard would imply that only closed systems are allowed on the market.
* Nicotine flux allows comparisons across products and product classes because it normalizes nicotine emission by time.
Main message:
Nicotine flux is a more relevant metric than nicotine yield for regulating tobacco products, particularly ENDS, due to varying consumption patterns. The study highlights the need for regulation of nicotine emissions from ENDS, which has not been adequately addressed by existing regulations. The authors suggest that a flux standard for ENDS could help reduce nicotine dependence at the population level, while avoiding the use of inappropriate proxies that cannot control the nicotine dose inhaled by ENDS users.
Citation
El hourani M, Shihadeh a, Talih S, Eissenberg T, CSTP Nicotine Flux Work Group. Comparison of nicotine emissions rate, “nicotine flux”, from heated, electronic and combustible tobacco products: data, trends and recommendations for regulation. Tobacco control. Published online January 27, 2022. doi:10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2021-056850
El hourani M, Shihadeh a, Talih S, Eissenberg T, CSTP Nicotine Flux Work Group. Comparison of nicotine emissions rate, “nicotine flux”, from heated, electronic and combustible tobacco products: data, trends and recommendations for regulation. Tobacco control. Published online January 27, 2022. doi:10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2021-056850
