a cross-category puffing topography, mouth level exposure and consumption study among Italian users of tobacco and nicotine products.

Introduction:
This text is a scientific report on a study that examines the puffing topography, mouth level exposure (MLE), and average daily consumption (aDC) of tobacco heating products (ThPs) and electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) among Italian users. The study aims to understand consumer behavior and the potential reduction in overall toxicant exposure compared to smoking cigarettes.

Key Points:

* The study included three groups of participants: tobacco cigarette smokers (Groups 1 and 3) and e-cigarette users (Group 2).
* Puffing topography measurements were taken to record puff volumes, puff durations, puff intervals, the number of puffs, and the total session length.
* MLE to NFDPM and nicotine was estimated using a real-time measurement of optical obscuration for each puff of aerosol or smoke.
* MLE to 'aerosol collected mass' (aCM) was estimated for the e-cigarette using the relationship between aerosol exposure and the 'device mass loss' (DML) after each use session.
* There were no significant differences in MLE and aDC when comparing the same product between different groups, except for the aDC of cigarettes by groups 1 and 3 being higher than the respective aDCs of both ThP consumables.
* The total aDCs for all groups were higher than the consumption of study products, suggesting that at least some users in all study groups were using non-study products during the home placements.
* The relationships between actual NFDPM and optical NFDPM and between DML and aCM were strong (R² values of 0.9691, 0.6649, 0.7872, and 0.9909 for C651, ThP1.0(T), ThS2.4(T), and IS1.0(T), respectively).

Main Message:
The main message of this study is that the puffing topography, MLE, and aDC of ThPs and e-cigarettes differ from those of traditional cigarettes. The study provides important data on consumer behavior and the potential reduction in overall toxicant exposure when using these products. The results suggest that further research is needed to better understand the potential health benefits and risks associated with ThPs and e-cigarettes. Overall, the study highlights the importance of conducting actual use studies to evaluate the reduced risk potential of tobacco and nicotine products.

Jones J, Slayford S, Gray a, Brick K, Prasad K, Proctor C. a cross-category puffing topography, mouth level exposure and consumption study among Italian users of tobacco and nicotine products. Sci Rep. 2020;10:12. doi:10.1038/s41598-019-55410-5