Summary
Introduction:
This text discusses a study that analyzed the flavorants and nicotine in waterpipe tobacco and mainstream smoke, and compared them to those found in e-cigarette aerosol. The study also examined the effect of water filtration on the carryover of these compounds. The results have implications for tobacco regulation, particularly in regards to the availability of flavors in tobacco products.
Key Points:
* The study quantified the flavorants vanillin, benzaldehyde, and eugenol, as well as nicotine, in vanilla-, cherry-, and cinnamon-flavored shisha tobacco.
* Flavorant and nicotine content in smoke was reduced due to water filtration, but the detected flavorant concentrations were similar to or higher than those previously reported in e-cigarette aerosol.
* The study suggests that users could be drawn to waterpipes due to similar flavor appeal as popular e-cigarette products.
* The differential use patterns of waterpipe (>100 puffs/session) and e-cigarette (mostly <10 puffs/session, multiple sessions throughout the day) probably result in higher flavorant and nicotine exposure during a waterpipe session.
* Regulatory action to address tobacco use behaviors targeting the availability of flavors should also include other tobacco products such as flavored shisha tobacco.
Main Message:
The study highlights the importance of considering the carryover of flavorants and nicotine in waterpipe tobacco and mainstream smoke, as they may contribute to the appeal and addiction potential of these products. The results suggest that regulatory action to address tobacco use behaviors should include other tobacco products such as flavored shisha tobacco, and that strategies to reduce youth introduction and exposure to nicotine via waterpipe use may consider similar flavor restrictions as those for e-cigarettes.
Citation
Erythropel hC, Garcia Torres DS, Woodrow JG, et al. quantification of Flavorants and Nicotine in Waterpipe Tobacco and Mainstream Smoke and Comparison to E-cigarette aerosol. Nicotine & tobacco research : official journal of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. 2021;23(3):600-604. doi:10.1093/ntr/ntaa114
