Arsenic and Cadmium in Cigar Fillers: A Comparative Study within Cigar Types and with Cigarettes

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Analytical Chemistry
• Public Health

Background:

• Cigar use has risen since the 1990s.
• Limited research exists on carcinogenic metal content in cigars, particularly across different types.
• Arsenic and cadmium are significant carcinogens found in tobacco products.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantitatively analyze arsenic and cadmium levels in little cigars, cigarillos, and large cigars.
• To compare metal concentrations across different cigar types, manufacturers, and flavors.
• To compare cigar metal content with that of cigarettes.

Main Methods:

• Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used for quantitative analysis.
• Tobacco filler from 67 little cigars, 21 cigarillos, and 19 large cigars was analyzed.
• Statistical analyses (Kruskal-Wallis, Wilcoxon tests) were employed for comparisons.

Main Results:

• Median arsenic concentrations were 0.219 μg/g (little cigars), 0.224 μg/g (cigarillos), and 0.193 μg/g (large cigars).
• Median cadmium concentrations were 1.21 μg/g (little cigars), 1.32 μg/g (cigarillos), and 1.32 μg/g (large cigars).
• Metal concentrations varied significantly by cigar type, manufacturer, and flavor, and differed between cigars and cigarettes.

Conclusions:

• Cigar types exhibit varying concentrations of arsenic and cadmium.
• Metal content differs across manufacturers and flavors, indicating potential variability in product composition.
• While some metal concentrations are comparable to cigarettes, usage patterns may influence health risks.