title: Characterization of SPECTRUM Variable Nicotine Research Cigarettes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To provide researchers an extensive characterization of the SPECTRUM variable nicotine research cigarettes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data on cigarette physical properties, nicotine content, harmful and potentially harmful constituents in the tobacco filler was compiled.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data on physical properties, concentrations of menthol, nicotine and minor alkaloids, tobacco-specific nitrosamines, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, ammonia, and toxic metals in the filler tobacco for all available varieties of Spectrum research cigarettes are provided. The similarity in the chemistry and physical properties of SPECTRUM cigarettes to commercial cigarettes renders them acceptable for use in behavioral studies. Baseline information on harmful and potentially harmful constituents in research tobacco products, particularly constituent levels such as minor alkaloids that fall outside typical ranges reported for commercial, provide researchers with the opportunity to monitor smoking behavior and to identify biomarkers that will inform efforts to understand the role of nicotine in creating and sustaining addiction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Well characterized research cigarettes suitable for human consumption are an important tool in clinical studies for investigating the physiological impacts of cigarettes delivering various levels of nicotine, the impact of reduced nicotine cigarettes on nicotine addiction, and the relationship between nicotine dose and smoking behavior.
authors.affiliation: Tobacco and Volatiles Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Richter
authors.affiliation: Tobacco and Volatiles Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Pappas R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Steven
authors.affiliation: Tobacco and Volatiles Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bravo
authors.affiliation: Tobacco and Volatiles Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Joseph G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Lisko
authors.affiliation: Battelle Analytical Services, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Damian
authors.affiliation: Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN.
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gonzalez-Jimenez
authors.affiliation: Tobacco and Volatiles Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Naudia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gray
authors.affiliation: Battelle Analytical Services, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Lisa M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Keong
authors.affiliation: Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN.
authors.forename: Jacob B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Kimbrell
authors.affiliation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kuklenyik
authors.affiliation: Tobacco and Volatiles Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Tameka S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Lawler
authors.affiliation: Tobacco and Volatiles Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Grace E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Tobacco and Volatiles Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Magaly
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mendez
authors.affiliation: Tobacco and Volatiles Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Jose
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Perez
authors.affiliation: Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN.
authors.forename: Shakia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Tobacco and Volatiles Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Hang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tran
authors.affiliation: Tobacco and Volatiles Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tyx
authors.affiliation: Tobacco and Volatiles Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Clifford H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Watson
keywords: PAH; alkaloids; cigarettes; metals; nicotine; spectrum; tobacco