Genotoxic carcinogenic risk of a new non-tobacco-burning cigarette

The recent development of a non-tobacco-burning cigarette has led to much controversy. In the present study, we analyzed the DNA-modifying ('genotoxic') potential of the emissions of this 'new' cigarette. Based upon the reported results of short-term tests (mutagenicity, clastogenicity, DNA damage), the 'new' cigarette has a greatly decreased potential for genotoxic carcinogenicity when compared to the 'regular' cigarette. The analysis does not address the possibility of cancer induction by a non-genotoxic or promotional mechanism, nor the cardiovascular and addictive risks of cigarette smoking.