Large Cigars: Smoking Topography and Toxicant Exposure

Area of Science:

• Tobacco Control Research
• Toxicology
• Public Health

Background:

• Cigar smoking persists in the US despite declining cigarette use and increased tobacco control measures.
• This study investigates patterns and toxicant exposure in dual large cigar and cigarette users.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare smoking patterns, topography, and toxicant exposure between large cigars and cigarettes in dual users.
• To assess the health implications of dual use, challenging assumptions about cigar safety.

Main Methods:

• Dual users (n=17) smoked their usual cigarette or a study large cigar (Phillies Blunt) in laboratory sessions.
• Measurements included plasma nicotine, exhaled carbon monoxide, and detailed smoking topography (puff volume, duration, velocity, interpuff interval).

Main Results:

• Both large cigars and cigarettes increased plasma nicotine and carbon monoxide, and reduced smoking urge.
• Cigarettes delivered more nicotine per gram of tobacco and per puff volume.
• Large cigar smoking involved more puffs, longer smoking time, larger puff volumes, faster puff velocity, and shorter interpuff intervals.

Conclusions:

• Dual users adapt smoking patterns to achieve similar nicotine exposure from both large cigars and cigarettes.
• Significant inhalation of large cigar smoke, including carbon monoxide and nicotine, was observed.
• Large cigar use exposes consumers to toxicants linked to addiction, morbidity, and mortality, similar to cigarette smoking.