Summary
Introduction:
This text is a summary of a scientific study investigating the use of biomarkers to measure dual use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and combustible cigarettes. The study aims to explore the utility of biomarkers as measures of dual use, which can help assess whether or to what extent dual use reduces harm compared to sole use of combustible cigarettes. The study measures urine concentrations of the metabolites of nicotine, as well as two biomarkers of tobacco exposure: 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNaL), a tobacco-specific carcinogen metabolite, and nicotelline, a tobacco alkaloid not found in significant concentrations in e-cigarette products.
Key Points:
* The study measures urine concentrations of nicotine metabolites, NNaL, and nicotelline in two human studies of participants who used e-cigarettes only or both combustible cigarettes and e-cigarettes.
* Nicotine metabolites indicate either e-cigarette or combustible cigarette use.
* Nicotelline, with a half-life of 2-3 hours, indicates recent combustible cigarette use.
* NNaL, with a half-life of 10 days or more, indicates combustible cigarette use occurring within several weeks prior to sample collection.
* The application of these biomarkers provides a tool to help assess whether or to what extent dual use of e-cigarettes and combustible cigarettes reduces harm compared to sole use of combustible cigarettes.
* These biomarkers can also verify exclusive use of e-cigarettes over short (24 hour) or long (several week) time periods.
Main Message:
The study highlights the importance of using biomarkers to measure dual use of e-cigarettes and combustible cigarettes, which can help assess the potential harm reduction benefits of e-cigarette use. The study demonstrates that nicotelline and NNaL are useful biomarkers for combustible tobacco use in e-cigarette users, which can provide valuable information for regulators, policymakers, and healthcare providers to make informed decisions about the use of e-cigarettes for harm reduction. The study also emphasizes the need for further research to develop models to estimate the extent of dual use using biomarker excretion data.
Citation
Jacob P, St helen G, Yu L, et al. Biomarkers of Exposure for Dual Use of Electronic Cigarettes and Combustible Cigarettes: Nicotelline, NNaL, and Total Nicotine Equivalents. Nicotine & tobacco research : official journal of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. 2020;22(7):1107-1113. doi:10.1093/ntr/ntz235
