Indigenous Smokeless Tobacco - Analysing pH, Moisture, Nicotine Levels, and Warning Labels - An In Vitro Study

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Chemical Analysis
• Regulatory Compliance

Background:

• Smokeless tobacco (SLT) use poses a significant public health challenge globally, particularly in India.
• SLT often receives insufficient attention despite its widespread use.
• This study addresses the need for data on SLT product characteristics and labeling in India.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the pH, moisture content, and nicotine levels of smokeless tobacco products available in Pondicherry, India.
• To evaluate the compliance of warning labels on these products with existing regulatory standards.
• To understand the chemical composition and labeling practices of SLT products in a key region.

Main Methods:

• Ten diverse smokeless tobacco samples were procured and analyzed.
• Validated analytical methods, aligned with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, were used for chemical analysis.
• Statistical analyses, including Pearson's correlation, were performed to assess relationships between chemical components and significance.

Main Results:

• A wide range of pH (5.09-10.46), moisture (5.48%-33.44%), and nicotine (0.63-35.74 mg/g) levels were observed.
• Significant correlations were found: positive between moisture and nicotine (r=0.672), and strong negative between pH and nicotine (r=-0.849).
• Warning labels demonstrated inconsistent adherence to regulations, with many lacking comprehensive health warnings and appearing only in English.

Conclusions:

• Smokeless tobacco products exhibit considerable variability in their chemical composition (pH, moisture, nicotine).
• The observed correlations suggest potential links between product characteristics and nicotine delivery.
• Inconsistent and limited warning label implementation indicates a need for improved regulatory enforcement and broader language inclusion.