Long‐Term Switching to Low‐Tar Low‐Nicotine Cigarettes

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Abstract
Summary: Puffing patterns and blood measures of smoke intake were studied in 12 subjects before and after switching to low‐tar (10.9 mg) low‐nicotine (0.7 mg) cigarettes for 12 weeks. Puff rate, puff volume, total volume puffed per cigarette and the number of cigarettes smoked were not changed significantly after switching lo the lower yield cigarettes. The reduction in mouth‐level nicotine intake (calculated from butt content) was identical to the 47 per cent reduction in the machine‐smoked nicotine yields. This is in keeping with the measures of puffing in showing the absence of any tendency to compensate for the reduced yields by increasing the intensity of puffing. In contrast, plasma nicotine and cotinine levels were reduced proportionally less than the nominal yields indicating that the subjects compensated to some extent by increasing inhalation. The average reductions in plasma nicotine and cotinine were identical (30per cent). Plasma thiocyanate and COHb levels were not significantly different after switching to the lower yield cigarettes but the estimated tar intake to the lungs was reduced by about 15per cent. Although the low‐yield cigarettes were rated as slightly too weak, there was no significant loss of satisfaction. The fact that subjects tolerated a 30 per cent reduction in plasma nicotine without loss of satisfaction and without puffing more intensively suggests that the increase in inhalation was not determined by a need to maintain nicotine intake. This and the, discrepancies between natural and experimental switching studies are discussed.

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