Surveillance of Nicotine Yield of Cigarettes Sold in Massachusetts (1997-2010)

Paskowsky, Mark

Friday, August 17, 2012: 8:30 AM

3501E (Kansas City Convention Center)

Lois Keithly, Ph.D. , Tobacco Control, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, MA

Doris Cullen, MA , Massachusetts Tobacco Cessation and Prevention Program, Boston, MA

Kevin Kane, M.S. , University of Massachusetts Medical School, Division of Preventive and Behavioral Medicine

Rashelle Hayes, Ph.D. , University of Massachusetts Medical School, Division of Preventive and Behavioral Medicine

Wenjun Li, Ph.D. , Preventive and Behavioral Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA

Mark Paskowsky, M.P.P. , Tobacco Cessation and Prevention Program, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, MA

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this presentation attendees will be able to:

Audience will learn the most up-to-date data on nicotine properties of cigarettes. The audience will learn that cigarettes have increasingly efficient nicotine delivery systems which vary by manufacturers. Audience will question the tobacco industry’s argument in support of agricultural variation to explain changes in nicotine yield and content.

Cross Cutting Program Area(s): Tobacco Industry and Tobacco Regulation

Audience:

State evaluation staff, FDA/federal programs overseeing tobacco industry product disclosure, policy-makers determining disclosure laws, and youth smoking prevention program officials.

Key Points:

Data are from annual reports filed with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health by all cigarette manufacturers selling cigarettes in Massachusetts (MA) 1997-2010. Data include the amount of nicotine yield generated from a smoking machine utilizing MA smoking regimen. Brand styles were grouped by market categories, including type (full flavor, light, mild/medium, ultra light); mentholated/non-mentholated; filtered/non-filtered; length (70/85/100/120) and packaging (hard/soft pack)

Temporal trends in nicotine yield, nicotine content, and the ratio of the yield to content were analyzed. The yield to content ratio is a measure of the efficiency of the nicotine delivery system. Design features (nicotine content, nicotine concentration, and percentage filter ventilation) and brand styles were included in the model.

Key findings include:

Average nicotine yield and nicotine content increased between 1998 and 2010. Yield was up 21% while nicotine content increased by 11%.

The temporal pattern for the yield to content ratio showed increasing efficiency in the delivery of nicotine since 1998, varying significantly by manufacturer.

Educational Experience:

Audience will learn the most up-to-date data on nicotine properties of cigarettes. No data released since 2006. Audience will question the tobacco industry’s argument in support of agricultural variation to explain changes in nicotine yield and content.

Benefits:

The audience will learn that cigarettes have increasingly efficient nicotine delivery systems which vary by manufacturers. The mechanism that underlies this increase in efficiency requires further study.