Effects of cigarette smoking through a partially occluded filter.
The effects of a commercially available corn syrup solution that is applied to the filter end of a cigarette causing an occlusive barrier to cigarette smoke were evaluated. The manufacturer claims that the solution reduces exposure to nicotine, carbon monoxide (CO), and other constituents of tobacco smoke and may aid in smoking cessation by providing a means of gradual nicotine dose reduction. Nineteen volunteers (10 men) smoked commercial cigarettes treated with 0, 1, 2, or 3 drops of the corn syrup solution in a double-blind, crossover experiment. Increases in plasma nicotine after smoking averaged 13.3, 10.5, 9.7, and 6.0 ng/ml in the 0, 1, 2, and 3 drop conditions, respectively. In the 3 drop condition, there was a significant reduction in exhaled CO levels. Subjects reported increased difficulty in cigarette draw and a trend toward decreased strength as a function of the number of drops applied. Cardiovascular and EEG measures of smoking were not significantly affected by the application of the drops. Cigarettes treated with 0, 1, 2, or 3 drops of the solution were machine smoked using methods of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC); nicotine yields were 1.0, 1.0, 0.78, and 0.73 mg of nicotine. These results indicate that Take Out drops reduce exposure to nicotine and other constituents of tobacco smoke from a single cigarette.
National Institute on Drug Abuse, Division of Intramural Research, Addiction Research Center, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
W B
WB
Pickworth
R V
RV
Fant
R A
RA
Nelson
J E
JE
Henningfield
D000328:Adult; D002248:Carbon Monoxide / Q000032:analysis; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005374:Filtration; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009538:Nicotine / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D012907:Smoking / Q000523:psychology*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology
D009538:Nicotine; D002248:Carbon Monoxide