Comparison of Nicotine Dependence and Biomarker Levels among Traditional Cigarette, heat-Not-Burn Cigarette, and Liquid E-Cigarette Users: Results from the Think Study.
This article compares nicotine dependence and biomarker levels among traditional cigarette (TC), heat-not-burn cigarette (hNBC), and liquid e-cigarette (EC) users. The study used data from the Think Study, a cross-sectional survey of Korean smokers. Participants completed questionnaires on their smoking behavior and provided urine samples for biomarker analysis.
**Key Points:**
* The study included 1586 participants, of whom 726 were TC-only users, 316 were EC-only users, and 377 were hNBC-only users.
* The median nicotine dependence level was not significantly different among the three groups.
* hNBC-only users had similar biomarker levels to TC-only users, except for NNaL and CEMa.
* EC users' biomarker levels were possibly lower than TC or hNBC users' but higher than those of non-smokers.
* TC and hNBC users showed increased urinary cotinine levels as early as the time after the first smoke of the day.
* The study used the Fagerström Test Score to evaluate nicotine dependence and measured six types of smoking-related biomarkers using liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry.
* The study found that hNBC-only users had lower levels of NNaL and CEMa compared to TC-only users, while EC users' biomarker levels were lower than TC or hNBC users' but higher than those of non-smokers.
**Main Message:**
This study provides valuable information on smoking-related biomarker levels of EC and hNBC users compared to TC users. The findings suggest that hNBC-only users have similar nicotine dependence levels and biomarker levels to TC-only users, while EC users have lower biomarker levels but still higher than those of non-smokers. Stakeholders can refer to these study results for comparison purposes. The study also highlights the importance of monitoring and regulating new tobacco products to ensure public health and safety.
Citation
Rudasingwa G, Kim Y, Lee C, Lee J, Kim S, Kim S. Comparison of Nicotine Dependence and Biomarker Levels among Traditional Cigarette, heat-Not-Burn Cigarette, and Liquid E-Cigarette Users: Results from the Think Study. International journal of environmental research and public health. 2021;18(9). doi:10.3390/ijerph18094777
Rudasingwa G, Kim Y, Lee C, Lee J, Kim S, Kim S. Comparison of Nicotine Dependence and Biomarker Levels among Traditional Cigarette, heat-Not-Burn Cigarette, and Liquid E-Cigarette Users: Results from the Think Study. International journal of environmental research and public health. 2021;18(9). doi:10.3390/ijerph18094777
