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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2018 Dec 1.
Published in final edited form as: Tob Regul Sci. 2017 Jan 1;3(1):81–94. doi: 10.18001/trs.3.1.8

Chemical Characterization of Mainstream Smoke from SPECTRUM Variable Nicotine Research Cigarettes

Yan S Ding 1, Patricia Richter 2, Bryan Hearn 3, Liqin Zhang 4, Roberto Bravo 5, Xizheng Yan 6, Jose J Perez 7, Michele Chan 8, Jared Hughes 9, Patrick Chen 10, Wayne Chen 11, Joshua Wong 12, Sydney Holmberg 13, Shakia Smith 14, Morgan Larango 15, Liza Valentín-Blasini 16, Clifford H Watson 17
PMCID: PMC5315028  NIHMSID: NIHMS838766  PMID: 28220149

Abstract

Objective

Our objective was to characterize mainstream smoke constituent deliveries from SPECTRUM variable nicotine research cigarettes under 2 machine smoking regimens. SPECTRUM cigarettes are manufactured by the 22nd Century company for the National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health to contain varying (including reduced) levels of nicotine.

Methods

Mainstream smoke constituent deliveries of “tar,” nicotine, carbon monoxide, tobacco-specific nitrosamines (N’-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) and 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK)), benzo[a]pyrene, aromatic amines, and carbonyls were analyzed in 23 varieties of SPECTRUM cigarettes using ISO 17025 accredited methods.

Results

Data are presented as means and standard deviations of 5 replicates for all analytes.

Conclusions

Under the ISO smoking regimen, mean levels of many smoke emissions for SPECTRUM varieties were comparable to the 3R4F research cigarette. Calculated SPECTRUM elasticity ranged from 1.6 to 4.0. Accordingly, under intense machine smoking conditions differences in emissions of SPECTRUM cigarettes were apparent. In addition, NNN increased with smoke nicotine while the same rate of change was not seen for NNK. It is important to monitor levels of chemicals of public health concern and regulatory interest as technologies emerge to reduce levels of nicotine or other targeted chemicals in tobacco products.

Keywords: cigarette mainstream smoke, nicotine, tar, TSNA, BaP, aromatic amines, carbonyls

Tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of death and disease in the United States1 (US) and nicotine is one of the major constituents in tobacco that causes addiction.2 In addition to nicotine, a smoker is exposed to thousands of chemicals with each cigarette smoked.3 Despite progress in reducing the prevalence of smoking among adults in the US,4 cigarette smoking still results in approximately 480,000 premature deaths and more than $300 billion in direct healthcare expenditures and productivity losses each year.1 Reduced nicotine cigarettes have been proposed as a method to change smoking behavior and may aid the smoker’s interest in quitting.2,5–6

The 22nd Century SPECTRUM cigarettes were manufactured under subcontract to the National Institute on Drug Abuse with reduced-nicotine filler achieved through genetic engineering and plant breeding.7–8 Other available experimental cigarettes (Kentucky Research Cigarettes, CORESTA Monitor) are for analytical chemistry research and are labeled as “not for human consumption.”9–10 These cigarettes are used to monitor the accuracy and stability of emissions generated using machine smoking. 3R4F also functions as a well-characterized comparator as it contains a tobacco blend that is representative of many domestic cigarettes sold in the US.9–10 In contrast, the SPECTRUM research cigarettes were developed for research studies that require people to smoke cigarettes that deliver varying doses of nicotine.11 Studies show that smokers can modify their smoking behavior when smoking cigarettes that reduce smoke nicotine through filter ventilation; however, this compensatory behavior does not occur with cigarettes made with extremely reduced nicotine content (0.05 mg) in the filler, so exposure to smoke toxicants does not increase.6,12–13

The physical properties, nicotine content, and levels of chemicals in SPECTRUM tobacco filler have recently been reported.14–15 Hatsukami et al11 reported on the acceptability and dose-response pharmacological effects of SPECTRUM cigarettes used by adult smokers. In addition, in several published studies, SPECTRUM cigarettes have been used to investigate the role of nicotine toxicity in blood brain barrier endothelial cells16–17 and to study nicotine dose assignment in a clinical study of depression.18 As use of SPECTRUM cigarettes as a research tool grows, additional information on the physical and chemical properties of the cigarettes will inform researchers and encourage research in areas such as interactions among nicotine and other smoke constituents, smoking behavior, compensation, and exposure to harmful and potentially harmful constituents in tobacco smoke. Whereas tar and nicotine levels are provided by the manufacturer for SPECTRUM cigarettes, levels of other important constituents have not been previously available. The previous study14 and the findings reported herein provide researchers with comprehensive characterization of the physical properties and the chemical composition of the tobacco filler and mainstream tobacco smoke to aid in the design and interpretation of clinical studies or studies of adult smokers using reduced nicotine cigarettes.

In this study we contribute to the characterization of SPECTRUM research cigarettes by examining mainstream smoke deliveries of select constituents (tar, nicotine, carbon monoxide, tobacco-specific nitrosamines, benzo[a]pyrene, aromatic amines, and carbonyls), on the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) list of harmful or potentially harmful chemicals. Information on mainstream smoke deliveries from SPECTRUM cigarettes, as well as confirmation of nicotine availability in mainstream smoke, will provide evidence for studies of smoking behavior and addiction. These findings and research based on these findings also could aid policymakers and regulatory agencies when considering the impact of reduced nicotine cigarettes on the complex relationships among nicotine levels, addiction, smoking behavior, and potential exposures.

METHODS

SPECTRUM Cigarette Samples

Twenty-three varieties of SPECTRUM research cigarettes (Table 1) were obtained from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA, Bethesda, MD, USA) in 2014 and stored in their original packaging at −70°C upon receipt. Results are reported on an “as received” basis unless otherwise noted.

Table 1.

Description of 23 Varieties of SPECTRUM Cigarettes

Product Code Type Specifications (mg/cig)
Tar Nicotine
NRC100 Reduced Nicotine-High Ventilation 3 ± 1.5 0.02 ± 0.01
NRC101 Reduced Nicotine-High Ventilation Menthol 3 ± 1.5 0.02 ± 0.01
NRC102 Reduced Nicotine 9 ± 1.5 0.03 ± 0.01
NRC103 Reduced Nicotine-Menthol 9 ± 1.5 0.03 ± 0.01
NRC104 Reduced Nicotine-High Tar 13 ± 2 0.04 ± 0.02
NRC105 Reduced Nicotine-High Tar-Menthol 13 ± 2 0.04 ± 0.02
NRC200 Reduced Nicotine 9 ± 1.5 0.07 ± 0.02
NRC201 Reduced Nicotine-Menthol 9 ± 1.5 0.07 ± 0.02
NRC300 Reduced Nicotine 9 ± 1.5 0.12 ± 0.03
NRC301 Reduced Nicotine-Menthol 9 ± 1.5 0.12 ± 0.03
NRC302 Reduced Nicotine-High Tar-Menthol 13 ± 2 0.16 ± 0.03
NRC400 Reduced Nicotine 9 ± 1.5 0.26 ± 0.06
NRC401 Reduced Nicotine-Menthol 9 ± 1.5 0.26 ± 0.06
NRC402 Reduced Nicotine-High Tar 13 ± 2 0.33 ± 0.06
NRC404 Reduced Nicotine-High Tar 13 ± 2 0.6 ± 0.12
NRC405 Reduced Nicotine-High Tar-Menthol 13 ± 2 0.4 ± 0.08
NRC500 Reduced Nicotine-High Tar 13 ± 2 0.7 ± 0.15
NRC501 Reduced Nicotine-High Tar-Menthol 9 ± 1.5 0.6 ± 0.12
NRC600 Conventional Nicotine 10.5 ± 1.5 0.8 ± 0.15
NRC601 Conventional Nicotine-Menthol 10.5 ± 1.5 0.8 ± 0.15
NRC602 Conventional Nicotine-High Tar-Menthol 16 ± 2 1.1 ± 0.2
NRC700 Low Tar/Nicotine Ratio-High Tar 16 ± 2 1.6 ± 0.3
NRC701 Low Tar/Nicotine Ratio-Menthol 12 ± 2 1.2 ± 0.2
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Note.

Provided by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) upon purchase of SPECTRUM cigarette samples. Mean ± standard deviation.

Quantitative Analytical Measurements

All quantitative methods were performed under a strict quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) protocol. Each analytical method below has been fully validated and has sufficient dynamic range for all samples. All reported data fell between the lowest and highest calibration curve points for their respective analytical method. Any measured value lower than the lowest calibration point was reported as a non-detect. All run QCs were checked using a modified Westgard protocol.19 Any data failing QC were excluded and the measurements were repeated.

Machine-smoke Regimens

Cigarettes were placed in a plastic bin and conditioned at 22 °C and 60% relative humidity for at least 48 hours prior to machine smoking according to ISO 3402.20 Cambridge filter pads (CFPs) were also conditioned unless stated otherwise (eg, carbonyl analysis). Cigarettes were smoked under 2 different regimens, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) method21 (35 mL puff volume, 60 sec puff interval, 2 sec puff duration, and filter-tip vents open) and the Canada Intense (CI) method22 (55 mL puff volume, 30 sec puff interval, 2 sec puff duration, and filter tip vents 100% blocked). Cigarettes were smoked to the marked length of the filter overwrap (tipping) plus 3 mm. Two types of 20-port linear machines were used (Cerulean SM450, Milton Keynes, UK and Borgwaldt LX-20, Richmond, VA, USA). Each variety was tested with 5 replicate measures per smoking regimen. Sample replicates were smoked on the same smoking machine if possible.

Tar, Nicotine, and Carbon Monoxide (TNCO)

The standard procedures previously described23 for ISO and CI TNCO determinations were used with a few modifications. Briefly, the gas and particulate phases of the mainstream cigarette smoke from 5 (ISO) or 3 (CI) cigarettes per sample replicate were collected in vapor phase collection bags and on CFPs, respectively. The percentage by volume of CO (% CO) was determined from the vapor phase collection bags using a non-dispersive infrared (IR) analyzer. The total particulate matter (TPM) was determined gravimetrically by calculating the weight difference of the CFP before and after smoking divided by the number of cigarettes smoked per pad. The TPM was then extracted with 20 mL of extraction solution (isopropyl alcohol containing approximately 0.1 mg/mL anethole and 1 mg/mL methanol internal standards) by gently shaking at 160 rpm for 30 min. A blank, conditioned CFP was extracted concurrently with smoke samples for background water subtraction. The extract was then analyzed for nicotine and water by gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID) and GC-thermal conductivity detection (GC-TCD), respectively. Calibration curves were constructed with 10 different analyte concentrations – ranging from 0.004 to 1.0 mg/mL for nicotine and 0 to 5.0 mg/mL for water – plotted against the area ratios of analyte-to-internal standard. The determined water content of the blank CFP was then subtracted from all sample water concentrations. The reported “tar” content was derived by subtraction of the determined water and nicotine contents from the TPM content.

Tobacco-specific Nitrosamines (TSNAs)

The smoke sample preparation was based on a published method24 with one minor modification (no ascorbic acid pretreatment needed for CFPs prior to smoking). One cigarette sample was smoked per CFP (both ISO and CI regimens). Mainstream smoke TPM was collected on CFPs. After smoking, each CFP was spiked with isotopically-labeled TSNA solutions followed by solvent extraction using ammonium acetate solution. An aliquot was injected into an Agilent Technologies (Wilmington, DE, USA) high-performance liquid chromatograph coupled with an API 5500 triple quadrupole mass tandem spectrometer (HPLC-MS/MS) (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, California) to analyze TSNAs (NNN (N-nitrosonornicotine), and NNK (4-(N-nitrosomethylamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone)). The HPLC column selection and mass spectrometry (MS) parameters were previously described.25

Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP)

Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) analysis was based on a previously published method for the detection of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in mainstream smoke.26 Three cigarettes were smoked per CFP for the ISO regimen and one cigarette was smoked per CFP for the CI regimen. Mainstream cigarette smoke TPM was collected on CFPs. The PAHs were extracted from TPM captured on the CFP along with an internal standard spiked on the CFP. After purification by solid-phase extraction, BaP was analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS) (Agilent Technologies, Wilmington, DE, USA).

Aromatic Amines

Three cigarettes were smoked per CFP for the ISO regimen and one cigarette was smoked per CFP for the CI regimen. Mainstream cigarette smoke TPM was collected on CFPs. After smoking, CFPs were placed into 15 mL vials, spiked with deuterium-labeled internal standards, and extracted with toluene by shaking for 30 minutes at 160 rpm on an orbital shaker. A 200 μL portion was aliquoted into a 2 mL gas chromatography vial with a 300 μL insert and derivatized with heptafluorobutyric anhydride. Aromatic amines were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) (Agilent Technologies, Wilmington, DE, USA) operating under the negative chemical ionization mode using multiple reaction monitoring. Quantitation was done in the instrument’s standard software (Mass Hunter, Agilent Technologies, Wilmington, DE, USA) by isotopic dilution mass spectrometry, dividing the analyte peak area by the internal standard peak area, both for the calibration curves and the samples. Ten aromatic amines, o-, m-, and p-toluidine, 2,6-dimethylanaline, o-anisidine, 1- and 2-aminonaphthalene, and 2-, 3-, and 4-aminobiphenyl are reported here.

Carbonyls

Carbonyls analysis was based on a published method on the derivatization and quantification of 7 carbonyls in cigarette mainstream smoke.27 One cigarette was smoked per CFP (for both ISO and CI regimens). Prior to smoking, CFPs were pretreated with the derivatization agent 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH). Mainstream carbonyls generated under either the ISO or CI regimen were derivatized and collected on the DNPH-pretreated CFPs. After smoking, internal standard solution was spiked onto each CFP and the CFP was extracted with acetonitrile containing 2% pyridine. The extract was diluted with 50% ammonium acetate and acetonitrile solution and an aliquot was injected into an ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography coupled with a triple quadruple tandem mass spectrometer (UPLC-MS/MS) (Agilent Technologies, Wilmington, DE, USA, and Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA, USA). Seven carbonyls, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acrolein, acetone, propionaldehyde, crotonaldehyde, and methyl ethyl ketone are reported here.

RESULTS

Tar, Nicotine, and Carbon Monoxide (TNCO)

Table 2 lists mainstream smoke deliveries of “tar,” nicotine, and CO from 23 varieties of SPECTRUM cigarettes. The manufacturer determined target “tar” and nicotine values (ISO smoking regimen only) provided by the National Institute on Drug Abuse are included with the analytical test results (Table 1). The measured “tar” and nicotine deliveries showed consistent agreement with the NIDA-specified yields (Table 1) for all varieties tested under ISO smoking regimen. Under the CI smoking regimen, there was a 2.2 to 7.6 fold increase in “tar,” a 1.6 to 3.9 fold increase in nicotine, and a 1.9 to 6.7 fold increase in CO levels relative to levels in mainstream smoke generated with the ISO smoking regimen. When machine smoked under intense conditions the “tar” levels among the 23 SPECTRUM varieties increased overall but the range of values decreased approximately 3-fold (tar: 21.7 ± 2.3 mg/cig to 38.5 ± 3.8 mg/cig for CI) compared to ISO smoking conditions (tar: 3.2 ± 0.2 mg/cig to 15.9 ± 0.7 mg/cig for ISO). Similarly, the range of CO under intense conditions had a 1.3 fold range (27.1 ± 4.0 mg/cig to 35.3 ± 4.3 mg/cig for CI) versus a 3.3 fold range (4.9 ± 0.2 mg/cig to 16.1 ± 0.9 mg/cig for ISO) under ISO conditions. In contrast, the range of nicotine levels was large across both CI (0.04 ± 0.00 mg/cig to 3.3 ± 0.18 mg/cig) and ISO (0.01 ± 0.00 mg/cig to 1.68 ± 0.1 mg/cig) smoking machine conditions. Under CI smoking conditions, 12 of the 23 SPECTRUM varieties delivered mean nicotine levels of less than 0.5 mg per cigarette; 6 of which delivered less than 0.1 mg nicotine per cigarette. NRC600, NRC601, and NRC602 yielded CI nicotine deliveries at or near 3R4F nicotine deliveries; whereas average mainstream smoke nicotine deliveries of 2 SPECTRUM cigarettes (NRC700 and NRC701) were greater than the average smoke nicotine deliveries of the 3R4F research cigarette.

Table 2.

Mainstream Smoke Deliveries of Tar, Nicotine, and CO from SPECTRUM Cigarettes (N = 5)

Product Code Tar (mg/cig) Nicotine (mg/cig) CO (mg/cig)
ISOa CIb ISOa CIb ISOa CIb
NRC100 3.2 ± 0.2 22.9 ± 1.7 0.01 ± 0.00 0.04 ± 0.00 5.1 ± 0.5 32.0 ± 1.5
NRC101 3.3 ± 0.2 25.2 ± 1.6 0.01 ± 0.00 0.04 ± 0.00 4.9 ± 0.2 32.9 ± 2.1
NRC102 6.9 ± 0.6 21.9 ± 1.5 0.02 ± 0.00 0.04 ± 0.00 11.1 ± 0.8 28.8 ± 1.2
NRC103 7.2 ± 0.9 21.7 ± 2.3 0.02 ± 0.00 0.04 ± 0.01 11.7 ± 1.8 27.1 ± 4.0
NRC104 12.2 ± 0.6 30.0 ± 2.7 0.04 ± 0.00 0.07 ± 0.01 14.4 ± 0.5 29.6 ± 2.4
NRC105 12.8 ± 0.8 34.8 ± 4.6 0.04 ± 0.01 0.07 ± 0.01 14.8 ± 1.0 32.3 ± 3.8
NRC200 7.0 ± 0.6 23.4 ± 3.1 0.06 ± 0.00 0.12 ± 0.01 11.9 ± 1.1 30.0 ± 1.3
NRC201 7.4 ± 0.5 24.0 ± 2.0 0.06 ± 0.00 0.11 ± 0.01 12.6 ± 0.8 30.0 ± 1.0
NRC300 7.4 ± 0.4 25.0 ± 3.0 0.11 ± 0.01 0.22 ± 0.02 12.3 ± 0.9 31.5 ± 3.4
NRC301 7.4 ± 0.5 24.7 ± 1.9 0.10 ± 0.01 0.21 ± 0.01 12.3 ± 0.7 30.9 ± 2.6
NRC302 13.3 ± 0.6 28.6 ± 1.7 0.17 ± 0.02 0.27 ± 0.02 15.1 ± 0.7 29.0 ± 2.4
NRC400 8.3 ± 0.4 24.2 ± 3.0 0.23 ± 0.01 0.47 ± 0.08 13.4 ± 0.7 30.3 ± 3.0
NRC401 8.4 ± 0.3 28.2 ± 3.4 0.24 ± 0.02 0.53 ± 0.07 14.3 ± 0.7 33.5 ± 2.0
NRC402 11.2 ± 0.9 29.3 ± 1.2 0.34 ± 0.04 0.61 ± 0.05 15.0 ± 1.0 31.6 ± 1.0
NRC404 13.7 ± 1.1 37.3 ± 4.5 0.50 ± 0.04 0.99 ± 0.13 15.1 ± 1.1 32.3 ± 2.6
NRC405 14.2 ± 1.8 36.0 ± 3.6 0.39 ± 0.03 0.69 ± 0.05 15.8 ± 1.6 30.7 ± 3.4
NRC500 12.0 ± 0.5 31.5 ± 2.2 0.67 ± 0.02 1.30 ± 0.12 14.6 ± 0.9 30.2 ± 3.5
NRC501 9.8 ± 0.7 32.3 ± 7.3 0.53 ± 0.05 1.20 ± 0.30 14.9 ± 0.4 35.3 ± 4.3
NRC600 9.7 ± 0.3 29.3 ± 2.1 0.72 ± 0.06 1.56 ± 0.29 14.0 ± 0.7 31.8 ± 1.7
NRC601 9.5 ± 0.6 26.7 ± 8.0 0.68 ± 0.06 1.40 ± 0.34 13.8 ± 0.6 29.1 ± 4.9
NRC602 15.9 ± 0.7 38.5 ± 3.8 0.99 ± 0.07 1.82 ± 0.14 15.9 ± 0.3 31.0 ± 3.4
NRC700 15.6 ± 1.0 37.4 ± 0.9 1.68 ± 0.10 3.30 ± 0.18 16.1 ± 0.9 31.2 ± 2.5
NRC701 12.0 ± 0.8 32.0 ± 1.6 1.31 ± 0.05 2.69 ± 0.21 15.6 ± 0.8 31.3 ± 0.6
3R4F 8.5 ± 0.7 26.6 ± 3.4 0.77 ± 0.10 1.96 ± 0.36 10.8 ± 1.0 30.5 ± 2.5
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Note.

a

= ISO (35 mL puff volume, 60 sec puff interval, 2 sec puff duration, and filter-tip vent open).

b

= CI (55 mL puff volume, 30 sec puff interval, 2 sec puff duration, and 100% vent block). Mean ± standard deviation.

Cigarette “elasticity,” defined here as the ratio of nicotine levels generated under CI conditions and nicotine levels generated under ISO conditions was grouped by visual inspection of cigarettes by percent filter ventilation14 were: 1.8 (range 1.6 to 2.0) for 8 SPECTRUM varieties with less than 20% filter ventilation (range 14 to 18%); 2.0 (range 1.8 to 2.3) for 13 varieties with filter ventilation between 23 and 32%; and, 4.0 for 2 varieties with filter ventilation above 60%.

Tobacco-specific Nitrosamines (TSNAs)

Table 3 lists mainstream smoke deliveries of NNN and NNK from 23 varieties of SPECTRUM cigarettes. The NNN levels ranged from 26.6 ± 1.2 to 185.4 ± 28.8 ng/cig (ISO) and 115.5 ± 16.0 to 342.9 ± 42.4 ng/cig (CI), respectively. Levels of NNK ranged from 7.9 ± 0.6 to 84.5 ± 5.0 ng/cig (ISO) and 31.9 ± 3.9 to 144 ± 28.7 ng/cig (CI), respectively. Data from research cigarette 3R4F are listed in the same table for comparison. NNK levels from the 3R4F cigarette (96.2 ± 11.4 ng/cig, ISO; 251.8 ± 33.3 ng/cig, CI) were at the upper range of NNK levels measured for the 23 SPECTRUM varieties when cigarettes were machine smoked under ISO conditions but exceeded the range of NNK levels measured for the 23 SPECTRUM varieties under CI conditions. Whereas, NNN levels from 3R4F cigarette (108.9 ± 8.7 ng/cig, ISO; 266.7 ± 27.2 ng/cig, CI) were within the range of NNN levels measured for the 23 SPECTRUM varieties under these smoking regimens. Figure 1 presents mainstream smoke NNN and NNK levels for SPECTRUM cigarettes and the 3R4F cigarette versus mainstream smoke nicotine when generated under ISO or CI conditions.

Table 3.

Mainstream Smoke Deliveries of NNN, NNK and Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) from SPECTRUM Cigarettes (N = 5)

Product Code NNKc (ng/cig) NNNd (ng/cig) BaP (ng/cig)
ISOa CIb ISOa CIb ISOa CIb
NRC100 9.4 ± 1.3 34.2 ± 5.6 31.2 ± 3.4 128.3 ± 13.8 2.1 ± 0.2 9.6 ± 0.8
NRC101 7.9 ± 0.6 35.9 ± 3.5 26.6 ± 1.2 124.5 ± 11.0 2.0 ± 0.2 10.0 ± 1.2
NRC102 14.5 ± 2.7 31.9 ± 3.9 49.1 ± 5.7 115.5 ± 16.0 3.3 ± 0.3 8.8 ± 0.4
NRC103 13.4 ± 2.2 34.0 ± 5.4 48.4 ± 5.1 117.6 ± 6.7 3.5 ± 0.5 9.4 ± 0.7
NRC104 25.5 ± 4.5 46.2 ± 7.1 83.2 ± 9.3 150.9 ± 30.0 6.0 ± 0.4 13.8 ± 1.4
NRC105 23.3 ± 2.7 45.0 ± 2.3 78.7 ± 12.3 155.0 ± 11.3 6.1 ± 0.6 13.7 ± 0.9
NRC200 19.6 ± 3.2 37.5 ± 7.2 58.5 ± 8.7 129.2 ± 25.3 3.3 ± 0.2 9.3 ± 0.5
NRC201 17.0 ± 2.8 35.7 ± 3.8 54.3 ± 6.9 123.2 ± 4.9 3.4 ± 0.3 9.0 ± 1.0
NRC300 20.7 ± 3.8 35.1 ± 5.6 60.5 ± 3.3 142.4 ± 5.9 3.5 ± 0.4 9.2 ± 0.5
NRC301 19.5 ± 3.5 34.7 ± 6.6 64.4 ± 3.7 126.5 ± 12.9 3.4 ± 1.0 6.3 ± 0.7
NRC302 24.3 ± 2.1 53.6 ± 2.7 102.0 ± 16.2 184.4 ± 19.0 5.8 ± 0.8 10.8 ± 0.9
NRC400 29.5 ± 2.5 56.6 ± 11.5 70.6 ± 4.2 160.9 ± 36.8 3.9 ± 0.7 7.9 ± 1.2
NRC401 26.9 ± 5.0 59.2 ± 4.6 70.5 ± 8.0 159.0 ± 9.7 3.7 ± 0.7 8.4 ± 1.2
NRC402 30.8 ± 4.4 66.4 ± 14.7 96.3 ± 13.7 194.0 ± 38.6 5.9 ± 0.9 10.5 ± 0.8
NRC404 51.0 ± 4.7 85.0 ± 8.4 107.7 ± 17.7 206.0 ± 27.7 7.3 ± 0.3 12.9 ± 1.5
NRC405 44.5 ± 2.7 75.8 ± 12.1 97.1 ± 9.4 217.6 ± 20.3 7.0 ± 0.6 10.5 ± 0.5
NRC500 43.7 ± 4.6 75.2 ± 14.5 119.8 ± 17.1 247.1 ± 9.3 6.4 ± 1.1 11.5 ± 0.3
NRC501 34.7 ± 6.3 84.1 ± 12.5 97.4 ± 14.4 209.6 ± 14.2 4.4 ± 0.9 8.3 ± 0.9
NRC600 59.5 ± 11.7 93.9 ± 14.4 126.5 ± 18.8 234.7 ± 8.9 5.1 ± 0.9 8.5 ± 0.9
NRC601 53.5 ± 8.4 94.6 ± 17.1 113.6 ± 10.5 246.9 ± 45.0 4.7 ± 0.7 8.3 ± 1.2
NRC602 79.7 ± 14.3 130.6 ± 20.0 185.4 ± 28.8 322.4 ± 12.2 7.0 ± 0.9 12.0 ± 1.0
NRC700 84.5 ± 5.0 144.0 ± 28.7 171.1 ± 9.4 342.9 ± 42.4 8.7 ± 1.7 14.7 ± 1.3
NRC701 52.6 ± 3.1 102.1 ± 9.1 120.9 ± 13.4 247.0 ± 25.2 6.5 ± 1.2 10.9 ± 1.1
3R4F 96.2 ± 11.4 251.8 ± 33.3 108.9 ± 8.7 266.7 ± 27.2 6.9 ± 0.8 17.8 ± 2.5
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Note.

a

= ISO (35 mL puff volume, 60 sec puff interval, 2 sec puff duration, and filter-tip vent open).

b

= CI (55 mL puff volume, 30 sec puff interval, 2 sec puff duration, and 100% vent block).

c

= NNK, 4-(Methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridy1)-1-butanone. d NNN, N-nitrosonornicotine. Mean ± standard deviation.

Figure 1.

Figure 1

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Relation of Mainstream Smoke TSNA and Nicotine Levels on a Log Scale

Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP)

Table 3 also lists mainstream smoke BaP deliveries from 23 varieties of SPECTRUM cigarettes. Under ISO smoking regimen, mean BaP levels range from 2.0 ± 0.2 to 8.7 ± 1.7 ng/cig among the 23 varieties, comparable to that of the 3R4F (6.9 ± 0.8 ng/cig). Under the CI smoking regimen, BaP levels in 3R4F research cigarettes (17.8 ± 2.5 ng/cig) were comparable to the upper range of levels measured in SPECTRUM cigarettes (14.7 ± 1.3 ng/cig).

Aromatic Amines

Table 4 lists mainstream smoke deliveries from 23 varieties of SPECTRUM cigarettes for 10 aromatic amines including 3 sets of isomers (o-, m-, and p-toluidine, 1-, and 2-aminonaphthalene, and 2-, 3-, and 4-aminobiphenyl). Under the ISO smoking regimen, mean levels of all 10 aromatic amines from 23 SPECTRUM varieties were comparable to those from research cigarette 3R4F. However, under the CI smoking regimen mean levels of 2-aminobiphenyl, o-toluidine, m-toluidine, p-toluidine, and 2,6-dimethylaniline for the 3R4F were below the range of mean levels for the SPECTRUM cigarette varieties.

Table 4.

Mainstream Smoke Deliveries of Aromatic Amines from SPECTRUM Cigarettes (N = 5)

Product Code o-Toluidine(ng/cig) m-Toluidine(ng/cig) p-Toluidine(ng/cig) 2,6-Dimethylaniline(ng/cig) o-Anisidine (ng/cig)
ISOa CIb ISOa CIb ISOa CIb ISOa CIb ISOa CIb
NRC100 21.2 ± 9.7 127.3 ± 14.8 23.4 ± 9.8 136.3 ± 4.6 25.5 ± 16.2 99.8 ± 6.1 7.5 ± 2.9 34.4 ± 2.4 0.7 ± 0.1 2.7 ± 0.3
NRC101 21.7 ± 2.2 131.7 ± 14.5 24.9 ± 2.6 138.3 ± 6.6 23.4 ± 1.4 101.1 ± 10.8 7.1 ± 0.8 36.0 ± 2.8 0.7 ± 0.3 3.0± 0.2
NRC102 51.5 ± 7.8 134.8 ± 18.9 50.1 ± 8.2 134.9 ± 4.1 45.8 ± 10.5 99.8 ± 7.2 15.3 ± 1.6 36.1 ± 1.5 1.2 ± 0.7 2.7 ± 0.3
NRC103 53.5 ± 7.4 154.6 ± 19.8 52.5 ± 6.5 153.9 ± 10.7 45.2 ± 5.1 114.2 ± 12.4 16.4 ± 1.9 42.4 ± 3.1 1.0 ± 0.1 3.4 ± 0.2
NRC104 96.3 ± 9.5 202.5 ± 19.2 99.9 ± 9.3 227.2 ± 10.6 75.2 ± 14.6 165.2 ± 10.9 29.7 ± 1.7 54.7 ± 2.6 2.1 ± 0.1 5.2 ± 0.2
NRC105 85.7 ± 11.4 189.5 ± 25.5 89.9 ± 11.5 210.9 ± 14.8 66.1 ± 4.9 153.8 ± 13.7 26.8 ± 4.1 50.1 ± 5.3 1.7 ± 0.2 4.4 ± 0.7
NRC200 57.0 ± 8.0 146.3 ± 10.6 59.3 ± 7.3 153.8 ± 9.1 51.1 ± 5.8 114.8 ± 12.0 17.1 ± 2.1 40.2 ± 2.0 1.0 ± 0.1 3.3 ± 0.3
NRC201 56.7 ± 6.3 132.4 ± 23.5 57.7 ± 5.2 139.5 ± 15.3 49.5 ± 3.3 104.3 ± 8.4 17.2 ± 2.1 36.4 ± 4.3 1.0 ± 0.1 2.8 ± 0.5
NRC300 57.6 ± 5.0 140.8 ± 9.6 57.4 ± 3.9 143.9 ± 11.5 49.2 ± 4.0 106 ± 16.4 17.5 ± 1.4 38.3 ± 3.1 1.0 ± 0.1 3.3 ± 0.4
NRC301 48.6 ± 3.0 119.3 ± 13.1 48.4 ± 2.9 127.3 ± 11.2 42.1 ± 5.5 104.2 ± 10.1 18.5 ± 1.8 40.2 ± 5.6 1.0 ± 0.3 1.7 ± 1.1
NRC302 80.0 ± 4.4 183.4 ± 7.2 82.4 ± 5.8 210.1 ± 9.9 59.5 ± 6.2 169.2 ± 8.2 29.4 ± 3.2 60.5 ± 2.9 1.8 ± 0.3 4.1 ± 0.9
NRC400 58.8 ± 5.3 133.6 ± 8.3 57.4 ± 4.8 149.3 ± 8.3 50.7 ± 8.2 124.0 ± 7.0 21.4 ± 3.1 45.7 ± 3.6 1.3 ± 0.3 3.1 ± 0.9
NRC401 54.5 ± 1.8 136.2 ± 15.2 54.5 ± 2.6 143.3 ± 16.9 45.1 ± 5.6 115.1 ± 9.6 20.9 ± 1.5 49.2 ± 7.2 1.2 ± 0.1 3.0 ± 1.1
NRC402 66.7 ± 5.2 143.7 ± 7.1 73.8 ± 4.9 173.7 ± 10.5 60.2 ± 9.5 137.1 ± 5.0 24.7 ± 2.6 50.0 ± 5.8 1.6 ± 0.1 3.8 ± 0.9
NRC404 99.9 ± 12.3 206.9 ± 17.5 90.9 ± 8.3 220.6 ± 18.1 69.6 ± 16.8 168.9 ± 9.3 37.4 ± 5.6 74.7 ± 10.4 2.6 ± 0.4 5.7 ± 1.3
NRC405 86.6 ± 4.1 181.7 ± 3.3 89.4 ± 5.2 205.6 ± 6.5 62.0 ± 5.4 157.1 ± 10.3 33.3 ± 2.1 64.1 ± 3.6 2.2 ± 0.1 4.7 ± 0.6
NRC500 73.0 ± 3.1 145.5 ± 9.7 77.9 ± 5.4 174.5 ± 10.7 53.8 ± 3.6 137.7 ± 14.5 27.5 ± 2.2 48.8 ± 7.2 2.0 ± 0.1 3.6 ± 1
NRC501 53.3 ± 3.8 129.6 ± 15.1 56.6 ± 4.0 137.4 ± 11.6 47.3 ± 6.0 99.0 ± 16.2 18.2 ± 1.4 49.4 ± 4.9 1.6 ± 0.3 2.9 ± 0.7
NRC600 52.3 ± 7.9 118.5 ± 3.7 55.5 ± 5.9 128.2 ± 8.5 45.8 ± 8.2 96.0 ± 11.9 17.8 ± 2.5 41.3 ± 2.3 1.6 ± 0.3 2.9 ± 2.3
NRC601 54.0 ± 2.8 115.7 ± 8.9 59.3 ± 2.0 124.3 ± 16.8 47.5 ± 3.0 90.3 ± 11.2 17.7 ± 0.9 41.8 ± 4.8 1.6 ± 0.5 2.2 ± 0.7
NRC602 85.1 ± 10.7 178.2 ± 9.7 93.4 ± 7.1 196.6 ± 10.8 68.2 ± 7.1 138.3 ± 25.3 29.5 ± 2.1 64.5 ± 3.1 2.6 ± 0.3 4.1 ± 0.8
NRC700 69.6 ± 11.7 131.1 ± 13.7 81.5 ± 9.0 152.8 ± 9.0 59.4 ± 9.9 105.8 ± 18.5 23.7 ± 3.1 43.2 ± 3.3 2.6 ± 0.3 3.4 ± 0.4
NRC701 54.2 ± 3.6 121.8 ± 6.4 63.9 ± 4.5 129.4 ± 6.7 46.4 ± 3.8 91.7 ± 13.0 19.1 ± 1.1 42.6 ± 2.0 1.9 ± 0.4 2.7 ± 0.8
3R4F 45.1 ± 6.7 85.1 ± 9.1 48.3 ± 6.8 91.8 ± 9.8 35.0 ± 8.8 56.9 ± 8.3 10.9 ± 2.7 23.1 ± 5.0 1.4 ± 0.4 2.0 ± 0.5
ProductCode 1-Aminonaphthalene(ng/cig) 2-Aminonaphthalene(ng/cig) 2-Aminobiphenyl(ng/cig) 3-Aminobiphenyl(ng/cig) 4-Aminobiphenyl(ng/cig)
ISOa CIb ISOa CIb ISOa CIb ISOa CIb ISOa CIb
NRC100 7.1 ± 2.6 35.3 ± 4.2 3.6 ± 1.7 23.9 ± 2.7 2.4 ± 0.9 9.4 ± 0.8 1.4 ± 0.4 7.8 ± 0.9 1.2 ± 0.5 7.2 ± 0.8
NRC101 7.6 ± 0.8 34.1 ± 1.2 4.0 ± 0.5 23.4 ± 1.4 2.5 ± 0.2 9.8 ± 0.9 1.6 ± 0.1 7.5 ± 1.1 1.3 ± 0.1 6.7 ± 0.7
NRC102 12.5 ± 1.5 34.7 ± 3.8 6.8 ± 1.2 22.4 ± 1.8 4.0 ± 0.5 9.5 ± 0.7 2.4 ± 0.3 7.4 ± 1.5 2.4 ± 0.5 7.0 ± 1.0
NRC103 13.5 ± 0.3 39.5 ± 2.7 7.2 ± 1.2 25.9 ± 2.4 4.3 ± 0.6 10.7 ± 0.7 2.5 ± 0.4 7.8 ± 0.8 2.5 ± 0.6 7.7 ± 1.0
NRC104 27.4 ± 3.6 57.2 ± 8.0 14.4 ± 2.3 36.3 ± 4.4 7.5 ± 0.7 14.7 ± 1.1 3.7 ± 0.4 10.2 ± 0.6 4.6 ± 0.7 11.1 ± 1.0
NRC105 27.2 ± 5.1 52.8 ± 6.2 13.0 ± 3.1 34.2 ± 3.7 7.0 ± 1.1 13.7 ± 1.2 3.4 ± 0.2 9.8 ± 0.9 4.4 ± 0.9 11.0 ± 1.1
NRC200 16.1 ± 2.6 40.8 ± 4.1 8.3 ± 1.5 26.4 ± 2.5 4.7 ± 0.5 10.6 ± 0.6 2.7 ± 0.3 8.3 ± 0.3 2.7 ± 0.4 8.0 ± 0.7
NRC201 15.3 ± 2.1 37.9 ± 6.8 8.3 ± 1.3 24.4 ± 3.9 4.5 ± 0.4 9.9 ± 1.0 2.6 ± 0.1 7.5 ± 1.2 2.6 ± 0.3 6.7 ± 1.4
NRC300 14.6 ± 1.9 37.7 ± 2.0 7.9 ± 0.9 24.1 ± 1.4 4.4 ± 0.4 9.9 ± 0.5 2.5 ± 0.1 7.2 ± 0.6 2.6 ± 0.3 7.2 ± 0.8
NRC301 12.7 ± 0.9 33.6 ± 5.4 6.9 ± 0.2 19.0 ± 2.7 4.2 ± 0.2 10.0 ± 1.0 2.5 ± 0.4 5.3 ± 0.7 2.0 ± 0.3 5.6 ± 0.5
NRC302 23.7 ± 1.4 55.1 ± 3.6 13.9 ± 1.5 32.2 ± 2.5 7.1 ± 0.4 15.3 ± 0.8 3.4 ± 0.2 7.4 ± 0.7 4.1 ± 0.7 9.4 ± 0.8
NRC400 16.0 ± 1.4 41.3 ± 4.7 9.2 ± 1.3 23.7 ± 2.1 4.6 ± 0.4 10.6 ± 0.5 2.7 ± 0.3 6.0 ± 0.6 2.6 ± 0.5 6.7 ± 0.4
NRC401 15.4 ± 1.2 35.8 ± 6.2 8.3 ± 0.5 21.8 ± 3.0 4.6 ± 0.2 11.2 ± 1.2 2.7 ± 0.3 5.5 ± 0.8 2.5 ± 0.3 6.5 ± 0.6
NRC402 19.2 ± 0.8 44.4 ± 5.7 10.7 ± 1.2 25.6 ± 2.1 6.2 ± 0.6 12.4 ± 1.0 3.3 ± 0.3 5.9 ± 0.7 3.6 ± 0.8 7.9 ± 1.0
NRC404 25.5 ± 2.8 55.8 ± 3.5 15.1 ± 1.8 33.9 ± 2.6 7.2 ± 0.7 16.1 ± 1.9 3.7 ± 0.3 7.3 ± 0.6 4.3 ± 0.9 9.5 ± 1.3
NRC405 23.9 ± 0.5 52.7 ± 1.9 15.1 ± 1.1 30.3 ± 1.8 7.2 ± 0.2 14.9 ± 0.8 3.3 ± 0.3 6.9 ± 0.9 4.1 ± 1.1 9.0 ± 0.5
NRC500 19.2 ± 1.4 43.1 ± 2.8 13.2 ± 0.9 26.8 ± 1.1 5.7 ± 0.2 11.4 ± 0.9 3.0 ± 0.1 6.3 ± 0.8 2.9 ± 0.2 7.1 ± 0.2
NRC501 13.9 ± 2.3 30.2 ± 5.9 8.0 ± 0.3 19.3 ± 1.4 4.0 ± 0.2 10.0 ± 1.0 2.1 ± 0.6 5.4 ± 0.7 2.2 ± 0.7 6.0 ± 0.5
NRC600 13.4 ± 3.1 28.8 ± 5.7 7.8 ± 0.6 17.1 ± 1.8 3.7 ± 0.4 8.8 ± 0.4 2.0 ± 0.8 5.5 ± 1.2 1.9 ± 0.7 6.3 ± 1.2
NRC601 13.4 ± 1.5 26.9 ± 4.6 8.2 ± 0.6 17.5 ± 3.1 3.8 ± 0.1 9.0 ± 0.8 1.9 ± 0.6 4.7 ± 0.7 2.0 ± 0.3 6.1 ± 0.7
NRC602 20.1 ± 5.6 42.4 ± 8.7 12.9 ± 1.6 27.5 ± 1.1 5.9 ± 0.4 13.9 ± 0.8 2.8 ± 0.9 6.6 ± 0.7 2.8 ± 0.5 8.4 ± 1.0
NRC700 17.3 ± 4.4 34.8 ± 5.9 12.7 ± 2.0 24.1 ± 1.2 4.7 ± 0.7 10.0 ± 0.7 2.4 ± 0.8 5.1 ± 0.3 2.2 ± 0.6 6.3 ± 0.7
NRC701 14.5 ± 2.2 27.1 ± 5.0 9.1 ± 1.4 19.6 ± 1.3 3.8 ± 0.2 8.8 ± 0.5 1.9 ± 0.6 5.1 ± 1.3 1.7 ± 0.5 6.6 ± 1.1
3R4F 11.2 ± 1.5 21.6 ± 2.8 8.1 ± 1.1 16.4 ± 1.6 2.7 ± 0.2 5.8 ± 0.5 1.9 ± 0.3 4.2 ± 0.8 2.0 ± 0.5 4.3 ± 0.9
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Note.

a

= ISO (35 mL puff volume, 60 sec puff interval, 2 sec puff duration, and filter-tip vent open).

b

= CI (55 mL puff volume, 30 sec puff interval, 2 sec puff duration, and 100% vent block). Mean ± standard deviation.

Carbonyls

Table 5 lists mainstream smoke carbonyl deliveries from 23 varieties of SPECTRUM cigarettes. Levels of formaldehyde from 10 SPECTRUM varieties were below ambient air levels (labeled as non-detected) when machine smoked with the ISO smoking regimen. Among the carbonyl compounds at levels above the limits of detection, acrolein had the widest range (7-fold) in mainstream smoke levels from the SPECTRUM cigarettes when machine smoked under ISO conditions (8.6 ± 1.9 to 62.7 ± 4.6 μg/cig). All carbonyl compounds were above ambient air level when machine smoked under CI conditions and formaldehyde had the widest range (13-fold) (3.4 ± 2.2 to 45.6 ± 12.4 μg/cig). Other carbonyl compounds had a narrower range between minimum and maximum mean levels when measured in SPECTRUM cigarettes machine smoked under CI conditions.

Table 5.

Mainstream Smoke Deliveries of Carbonyls from SPECTRUM Cigarettes (N = 5)

Product Code Formaldehyde (μg/cig) Acetaldehyde (μg/cig) Acrolein (μg/cig) Acetone (μg/cig)
ISOa CIb ISOa CIb ISOa CIb ISOa CIb
NRC100 7.1 ± 1.5 12.0 ± 6.3* 434 ± 164 1684 ± 245 12.3 ± 2.7 91.8 ± 11.3 164 ± 17.1 702 ± 80.5
NRC101 Not detectedc 10.7 ± 9.5* 348 ± 85 1814 ± 125 8.6 ± 1.9 91.2 ± 20.0 135 ± 16.6 680 ± 43.7
NRC102 Not detectedc 10.3 ± 7.3* 774 ± 276 1658 ±173 31.8 ± 9.5 82.9 ± 12.0 282 ± 46.8 673 ± 81.0
NRC103 Not detectedc 14.0 ± 9.6* 819 ± 197 1678 ± 85 35.3 ± 9.9 96.0 ± 17.1 301 ± 54.7 682 ± 12.4
NRC104 7.7 ± 2.9 16.2 ± 7.5 1043 ± 328 1720 ± 193 44.9 ± 10.5 91.4 ± 9.8 341 ± 44.9 628 ± 59.6
NRC105 10.3 ± 5.4 14.1 ± 14.3 1129 ± 358 1710 ± 334 49.2 ± 8.3 93.1 ± 28.0 339 ± 25.8 678 ± 79.6
NRC200 Not detectedc 9.9 ± 7.7* 935. ± 287 1784±92 38.7 ± 7.9 96.7 ± 21.0 302 ± 60.3 660 ± 44.1
NRC201 Not detectedc 10.6 ± 4.6* 957 ± 328 1760 ± 270 36.9 ± 2.81 95.9 ± 14.7 327 ± 42.3 661 ± 47.0
NRC300 Not detectedc 8.12 ± 8.5* 1005 ± 299 1768 ± 173 40.9 ± 11.9 97.2 ± 25.2 311 ± 63.0 675 ± 60.0
NRC301 Not detectedc 10.0 ± 7.3* 900 ± 288 1800 ± 167 34.5 ± 7.5 99.0 ± 19.2 254 ± 24.3 662 ± 67.2
NRC302 12.7 ± 5.8 19.5 ± 10.6 1173 ± 262 1696 ± 154 51.0 ± 7.8 94.5 ± 16.7 355 ± 38.6 673 ± 69.1
NRC400 Not detectedc 3.4 ± 2.2 932 ± 108 1794 ± 211 40.8 ± 7.3 85.6 ± 11.7 311 ± 35.5 595 ± 118
NRC401 Not detectedc 3.6 ± 3.1 899 ± 49 1896 ±2 60 40.0 ± 6.6 90.4 ± 7.5 295 ± 38.3 621 ± 108
NRC402 4.4 ± 2.3 10.0 ± 2.8 1016 ± 106 2004 ± 243 47.0 ± 2.6 93.3 ± 10.6 325 ± 28.5 621 ± 59.2
NRC404 5.7 ± 2.5 14.3 ± 4.0 1096 ± 116 1936 ± 239 58.5 ± 9.9 95.6 ± 13.4 363 ± 51.7 614 ± 87.2
NRC405 6.7 ± 2.1 12.9 ± 6.3 1069 ± 83 1944 ± 290 52.6 ± 3.1 91.4 ± 7.7 348 ± 44.9 603 ± 90.9
NRC500 7.3 ± 3.7 19.7 ± 5.3 1081 ± 107 2024 ± 143 54.4 ± 5.8 96.6 ± 10.5 326 ± 25.7 551 ± 35.0
NRC501 Not detectedc 11.0 ± 2.9 1037 ± 108 2084 ± 182 46.7 ± 5.7 96.3 ± 7.0 326 ± 40.3 605 ± 48.4
NRC600 4.7 ± 3.0 16.0 ± 3.3 1076 ± 307 2170 ± 257 54.9 ± 6.7 104 ± 1.4 370 ± 90.0 571 ± 49.2
NRC601 8.0 ± 5.7 18.0 ± 5.3 960 ± 163 1970 ± 233 54.1 ± 3.3 101 ± 10.2 293 ± 35.5 529 ± 46.8
NRC602 17.0 ± 5.7 21.7 ± 5.1 1054 ± 240 1988 ± 288 58.2 ± 4.9 94.4 ± 13.6 352 ± 36.2 578 ± 75.5
NRC700 24.5 ± 4.6 41.4 ± 5.9 1033 ± 151 1940 ± 274 62.7 ± 4.6 110 ± 11.2 316 ± 30.4 530 ± 36.8
NRC701 22.3 ± 10.6 45.6 ± 12.4 885 ± 296 1820 ± 274 55.5 ± 10.7 109 ± 8.4 297 ± 55.5 511 ± 24.4
3R4F 20.5 ± 14.9 100.0 ± 19.4 685 ± 198 1858 ± 128 46.0 ± 6.3 142 ± 11.8 261 ± 66.0 633 ± 37.0
Product Code Propionaldehyde (μg/cig) Crotonaldehyde (μg/cig) Methyl ethyl ketone (μg/cig)
ISOa CIb ISOa CIb ISOa CIb
NRC100 39.5 ± 3.2 166 ± 27.4 5.4 ± 0.7 38.9 ± 4.1 42.4 ± 2.2 168 ± 11.6
NRC101 33.8 ± 2.1 175 ± 14.8 3.9 ± 0.4 36.9 ± 2.9 35.6 ± 2.5 156 ± 16.0
NRC102 70.4 ± 8.7 162 ± 22.3 13.9 ± 3.1 35.0 ± 4.1 73.6 ± 12.8 161 ± 11.5
NRC103 77.4 ± 10 163 ± 25.1 14.4 ± 1.5 37.0 ± 3.1 78.1 ± 9.4 151 ± 17.1
NRC104 94.1 ± 7.4 165 ± 13 19.3 ± 1.0 34.0 ± 4.7 95.3 ± 11.5 148 ± 14.7
NRC105 93.9 ± 6.6 170 ± 33 19.9 ± 1.8 37.3 ± 9.1 99.5 ± 7.1 164 ± 18.0
NRC200 82.0 ± 6.0 168 ± 7.1 15.6 ± 1.6 40.3 ± 3.1 84.4 ± 9.6 174 ± 22.2
NRC201 84.0 ± 7.7 165 ± 15.5 15.8 ± 1.9 38.0 ± 4.8 83.6 ± 7.5 170 ± 11.5
NRC300 86.4 ± 12.6 175 ± 20.8 17.4 ± 3.9 38.4 ± 2.2 90.2 ± 10.3 172 ± 13.3
NRC301 74.5 ± 4.6 172 ± 9.2 13.4 ± 2.1 38.9 ± 1.0 72.4 ± 7.4 168 ± 13.4
NRC302 65.4 ± 10.1 157 ± 10 19.8 ± 2.5 36.3 ± 1.8 90.8 ± 8.8 158 ± 4.4
NRC400 93.2 ± 7.3 183 ± 26.2 14.6 ± 1.8 36.0 ± 5.6 79.6 ± 9.7 164 ± 23.7
NRC401 90.1 ± 9.9 182 ± 28.2 12.6 ± 1.4 39.3 ± 5.5 74.7 ± 8.8 161 ± 22.5
NRC402 103 ± 7.4 195 ± 7.7 15.4 ± 1.6 38.9 ± 4.4 84.2 ± 3.9 165 ± 11.3
NRC404 114 ± 13 202 ± 20 20.3 ± 4.3 39.4 ± 3.4 99.5 ± 15.2 170 ± 16.2
NRC405 109 ± 12.4 184 ± 18.5 18.0 ± 2.3 36.4 ± 5.5 88.5 ± 6.8 157 ± 21.3
NRC500 113 ± 10 204 ± 7.3 17.0 ± 1.6 39.6 ± 3.7 89.2 ± 11.6 156 ± 11.4
NRC501 106 ± 7.5 217 ± 17.4 15.4 ± 2.6 43.0 ± 1.9 83.0 ± 10 169 ± 12.6
NRC600 121 ± 23.9 233 ± 31.7 19.7 ± 4.4 45.9 ± 3.9 92.7 ± 18.2 174 ± 13.8
NRC601 104 ± 8.5 198 ± 19.5 16.3 ± 1.0 43.0 ± 6.3 75.3 ± 6.4 158 ± 22.3
NRC602 119 ± 11.7 204 ± 21.6 19.2 ± 1.8 39.3 ± 4.0 92.3 ± 10.3 166 ± 21.6
NRC700 113 ± 5.5 213 ± 25.2 18.7 ± 1.2 45.2 ± 3.4 87.3 ± 7.0 155 ± 13.8
NRC701 107 ± 14.4 200 ± 9.0 16.3 ± 3.1 44.6 ± 3.0 75.1 ± 13.0 152 ± 6.0
3R4F 67.5 ± 6.2 187 ± 9.7 12.2 ± 1.8 48.7 ± 4.8 69.1 ± 10.6 165 ± 16.8
Open in a new tab

Note.

a

= ISO (35 mL puff volume, 60 sec puff interval, 2 sec puff duration, and filter-tip vent open).

b

= CI (55 mL puff volume, 30 sec puff interval, 2 sec puff duration, and 100% vent block).

c

= Non-detected, below background value of formaldehyde.

*

N = 4 due to one replicate being background value. Mean ± standard deviation.

Levels of all carbonyls in the mainstream smoke of the 3R4F research cigarette fell within the range measured across the 23 SPECTRUM varieties under ISO smoking machine regimens. Levels of formaldehyde and acrolein in the mainstream smoke of 3R4F smoked under CI conditions were above the range of SPECTRUM levels.

Discussion

Due to the unique processes used in the manufacture of cigarettes with very low nicotine levels, there can be questions about the impact of the design and features of SPECTRUM cigarettes on levels of smoke constituents other than nicotine. For comparison purposes we provide data for a commonly used reference cigarette, the Kentucky Research cigarette. This research cigarette, although not intended for human consumption, contains a mixture of bright, burley, oriental, and reconstituted tobaccos “typical” of a medium-delivery, American-blended cigarette and is designed to be representative of many domestic cigarettes sold in the US.9 The data provided in this study for all varieties of SPECTRUM cigarettes and comparisons with a research cigarette representative of medium-delivery blended cigarettes will allow researchers to compare levels of smoke constituents in the mainstream smoke of SPECTRUM cigarettes with commercial cigarettes or other experimental cigarettes.

Good agreement was observed between the provided TNCO characterization data and our laboratory measurements under ISO smoking conditions. Under ISO conditions all but 6 varieties of SPECTRUM cigarettes delivered lower nicotine levels than the 3R4F. Oftentimes, nicotine deliveries increase significantly from ISO to CI smoking conditions. This is because of the more intensive CI smoking regimen, in which, larger puffs are taken at increased frequency with filter ventilation holes blocked to emulate the potential upper smoke delivery a smoker could possibly achieve under more intense patterns of smoking behavior. Under CI smoking conditions there were 12 varieties that delivered mean levels of less than 0.5 mg nicotine/cigarette and 6 of those were below 0.1 mg nicotine/cigarette. Of note, even under the CI smoking conditions, mainstream nicotine levels of all but 2 SPECTRUM cigarettes (NRC700, and NRC701) were below nicotine levels of the 3R4F research cigarette. Studies involving the smoking of SPECTRUM cigarettes by people may benefit from their ability to maintain reduced-nicotine deliveries under typical human smoking behaviors, and to deliver a broad range of mainstream smoke nicotine levels identical to commercially-available cigarette brands.

Reduced nicotine cigarettes, like Spectrum Cigarettes, are currently being used in studies to evaluate the impact of reduced nicotine cigarette on addiction. Change in a smokers’ use behavior, such as by taking larger or more frequent puffs to obtain their desired amount of nicotine from a cigarette, is known as compensation.13,28 Cigarettes are manufactured to allow smoker compensation through a range of design features including filter ventilation, paper porosity, and tobacco packing density (Brown & Williamson Bates 575251646/9).29 Collectively these design features contribute to a cigarette’s “elasticity,” a term that indicates the amount of smoke a smoker can take out of a cigarette (British American Tobacco. Bates 620825233/41).30 There are multiple ways to calculate elasticity for a cigarette (eg, Chaiton et al 2005; Brown & Williamson Bates 575251646/9; Phillip Morris 2005 Bates 3039732438–3039732444)29,31–32 but all incorporate puff volume because smoke emissions from the tobacco rod and filter retention and filter ventilation depend on puff volume (Brown & Williamson 1992 Bates 575251611/43).33 Our calculated elasticity values demonstrate that there can be a range of elasticities across the 23 SPECTRUM varieties. This has also been shown in industry documents for commercial cigarette brand families (eg, Phillip Morris 2005 Bates 3039732438–3039732444).32 The limits in how much nicotine can be taken from a cigarette is an important consideration when designing studies that use reduced nicotine cigarettes and when interpreting the use behavior and the toxicant exposures of the study participants. Some longer-term (3- to 6-week) studies6,12 have shown that smokers do not experience higher exposures to smoke constituents when provided with very low nicotine content cigarettes. It has been suggested that compensatory behavior does not occur with extremely reduced nicotine cigarettes6,12–13 However, to the extent that smokers are able to compensate, they will be at risk of increased exposure to harmful constituents.

Levels of mainstream smoke constituents from the SPECTRUM cigarettes were similar to or lower than the 3R4F (eg, NNK, formaldehyde, and acrolein under CI conditions) and some were elevated (eg, aromatic amines under CI conditions) relative to the 3R4F. Whether such differences in deliveries of specific constituents would impact the associated health burden of smoking a SPECTRUM cigarette is not known. Visual examination of levels of carcinogenic NNN and NNK versus nicotine under different smoking conditions suggests that whereas NNN generally increases with smoke nicotine, the same rate of change is not seen among the SPECTRUM varieties for NNK (Figure 1). This is possibly due to tobacco blend differences in the 23 varieties of SPECTRUM cigarettes and uncoupling of normal nitrosamine formation pathways as nicotine is a major precursor for NNK while nornicotine is a major precursor for NNN.34 We have reported previously that nicotine levels in SPECTRUM tobacco ranged from very low to within the range reported for commercial products (0.28 – 25.0 mg/g) whereas other alkaloids, including nornicotine (14.8 – 28.7 μg/g), were not reduced compared to levels reported in commercial products.14

Given the chemical complexity of cigarette smoke, typically only select constituents are monitored to see which, if any, chemical changes occur as products are modified to delivery less nicotine. Future work on SPECTRUM cigarettes, or other low nicotine cigarettes, could focus on examining a wider array of chemical constituents or investigate possible toxicological implications of cigarettes modified to deliver reduced levels of nicotine.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TOBACCO REGULATION

Machine-generated cigarette smoke emissions do not provide true estimates of human exposure.35 However, information on levels of harmful and potentially harmful constituents in the mainstream smoke of all 23 varieties of SPECTRUM cigarettes provides researchers and regulators with key information on potential exposures to users of reduced nicotine cigarettes. In addition, information on levels of toxicants and carcinogens may assist in the design of studies of the toxicity of SPECTRUM cigarettes, a research tool intended for investigating exposure and behavioral effects of different nicotine levels in cigarettes.

Acknowledgments

The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the US Department of Health and Human Services, or the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Use of trade names and commercial sources is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by the US Department of Health and Human Services, or the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Footnotes

Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement

The manuscript was written through contributions of all authors. All authors have given approval to the final version of the manuscript. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Contributor Information

Yan S. Ding, Team Lead, Tobacco and Volatiles Branch, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA.

Patricia Richter, Deputy Branch Chief, Tobacco and Volatiles Branch, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA.

Bryan Hearn, Chemist, Tobacco and Volatiles Branch, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA.

Liqin Zhang, Chemist, Tobacco and Volatiles Branch, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA.

Roberto Bravo, Team Lead, Tobacco and Volatiles Branch, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA.

Xizheng Yan, Chemist, Tobacco and Volatiles Branch, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA.

Jose J. Perez, Chemist, Tobacco and Volatiles Branch, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA.

Michele Chan, Chemist, Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN.

Jared Hughes, Chemist, Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN.

Patrick Chen, Chemist, Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN.

Wayne Chen, Chemist, Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN.

Joshua Wong, Chemist, Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN.

Sydney Holmberg, Chemist, Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN.

Shakia Smith, Chemist, Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN.

Morgan Larango, Chemist, Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN.

Liza Valentín-Blasini, Lab Chief, Tobacco and Volatiles Branch, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA.

Clifford H. Watson, Lab Director, Tobacco and Volatiles Branch, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA.

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