Levels of toxins in oral tobacco products in the UK. Issue 1 (24th January 2006)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: McNeill, A; Bedi, R; Islam, S; Alkhatib, M N; West, R
• Is Part Of: Tobacco control. Volume 15:Issue 1(2006)
• Page Start: 64
• Page End: 67
• Publication Date: 2006-01-24
• Subjects: BaP, benz(a) pyrene -- NAB, N-nitrosoanabasine -- NAT, N-nitrosoanatabine -- NDMA, N-nitrosodimethylamine -- NNK, 4(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)–butanone -- NNN, N-nitrosonornicotine -- TSNA, tobacco specific nitrosamine; smokeless tobacco -- tobacco toxins -- transcultural tobacco products -- toxin standards; Tobacco use -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Tobacco use -- Periodicals; Smoking -- Law and legislation -- Periodicals; Smoking -- prevention & control -- Periodicals; Tobacco Use Disorder -- prevention & control -- Periodicals; Tobacco -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 613.85
• DOI: 10.1136/tc.2005.013011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0964-4563

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: This study examined the constituents of smokeless tobacco products available in the UK and compared them with products available in India, Sweden, and the USA Methods: Seven UK brands of smokeless tobacco, including a tooth cleaning powder, and four international brands of smokeless tobacco were tested for a range of toxins and known carcinogens, such as tobacco specific N-nitrosamines (TSNA), as well as nicotine availability. Results: Ten of the 11 brands tested had detectable levels of tobacco specific nitrosamines, which are proven carcinogens, and levels varied 130-fold. All had detectable levels of benzo(a)pyrene, another proven carcinogen (with around 175-fold variation) and several toxic metals (with nearly 150-fold variation). Nicotine availability varied in the UK products from 0.1 mg/g to 63.2 mg/g. All the tobacco products tested are likely to be hazardous to users' health, but the data indicate that it should be possible to reduce key toxins to non-detectable levels. Conclusions: Smokeless tobacco products should be regulated and standards set for maximum levels of toxins and carcinogens.