DNA solution(R) in cigarette filters reduces polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) levels in mainstream tobacco smoke

Tobacco consumption represents a major health hazard to humans and, despite anti-smoking campaigns, the number of smokers remains high; thus the reduction of toxic compounds from tobacco smoke may reduce the health hazards of smoking. In the last 25 years cigarette manufacturers have introduced a variety of filter designs to reduce toxic and carcinogenic substances in tobacco smoke (normal filters, NF). However, large quantities of harmful constituents are inefficiently retained by commonly used cigarette filters. Following a patented method we modified commercial cigarette filters (modified filter, MF) by injecting a DNA solution into the filter tips; we then evaluated the reduced polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) levels in mainstream tobacco smoke of MF relative to NF. The PAH measured were: fluoranthene (FLUO), pyrene (PY), benzo(a)anthracene (B(a)A), chrysene (CRY), benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P), benzo(b)fluoranthene (B(b)F), benzo(k)fluoranthene (B(k)F), benzo(g,h,i)perylene (BGP), dibenzo(a,h)anthracene (DBA). The levels of PAH in cigarette smoke after MF were significantly reduced (P<0.001) compared to NF, using a variety of cigarette brands in a smoking machine (44.5%+/-8.4 % and 41.8%+/-5% for total and carcinogenic PAH, respectively, means+/-SE). Using B(a)P(TEF) values the reduction in PAH concentrations were similar for all cigarette brands with the exception of Camel, where the reduction was lower considering B(a)P(TEF) values. Amongst carcinogenic PAH, B(a)A, B(b)F and B(k)F) were reduced by 50-58%, CRY, B(a)P and DBA by about 40%. In conclusion MF filters treated with DNA have the potential of decreasing the exposure to PAH in cigarette smoke. Since, unlike some previously proposed biological filters MF do not retain additional nicotine, the main addictive compound of tobacco smoke, these filters may not induce increased smoking to compensate for the reduction in the nicotine delivery to smokers.