Chemical Safety and Health Effects of Tobacco Products

Tobacco products, whether combustible cigarettes or alternative nicotine delivery systems such as electronic cigarettes, release a complex mixture of chemical constituents that pose significant health risks. Combustible tobacco smoke contains thousands of compounds, among them well-characterised carcinogens, respiratory irritants and cardiovascular toxicants. Key hazardous and potentially harmful constituents include polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, tobacco-specific nitrosamines, volatile organic compounds (for example formaldehyde and acrolein) and heavy metals. Electronic nicotine delivery systems generate aerosols by heating a liquid formulation of nicotine, solvents and flavouring agents; these aerosols may contain carbonyl compounds, reactive oxygen species and metallic nanoparticles leached from heating elements. Chronic exposure to tobacco smoke and e-cigarette aerosols has been linked to lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease and impaired immune defences. Efforts to reduce harm include the development of advanced adsorbent materials, modified tobacco heating systems that avoid combustion and regulatory strategies to limit levels of key toxicants. Understanding the chemical safety profile and associated health effects is crucial for public health policy, product regulation and harm-reduction strategies worldwide.

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Chemical Safety and Health Effects of Tobacco Products publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in chemical safety and health effects of tobacco products across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Aerosol: A suspension of fine liquid or solid particles in air, delivered to the respiratory tract during smoking or vaping.

Carcinogen: A chemical agent capable of causing cancer by inducing genetic mutations or promoting tumour growth.

Harmful and potentially harmful constituents (HPHCs): Toxic chemicals identified in tobacco product emissions that are known or suspected to contribute to adverse health outcomes.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs): A class of organic compounds formed during incomplete combustion of organic matter, many of which are potent carcinogens.

Tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs): Nitrogen-containing compounds derived from nicotine that are strongly associated with carcinogenic risk.

References

1. Advanced Materials Design for Adsorption of Toxic Substances in Cigarette Smoke. Advanced Science (2023).
2. Hazardous Compounds in Tobacco Smoke. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2011).
3. Vapors Produced by Electronic Cigarettes and E-Juices with Flavorings Induce Toxicity, Oxidative Stress, and Inflammatory Response in Lung Epithelial Cells and in Mouse Lung. PLOS ONE (2015).
4. Metal and Silicate Particles Including Nanoparticles Are Present in Electronic Cigarette Cartomizer Fluid and Aerosol. PLOS ONE (2013).
5. Exposure to Electronic Cigarettes Impairs Pulmonary Anti-Bacterial and Anti-Viral Defenses in a Mouse Model. PLOS ONE (2015).
6. Evaluation of Electronic Cigarette Use (Vaping) Topography and Estimation of Liquid Consumption: Implications for Research Protocol Standards Definition and for Public Health Authorities’ Regulation. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2013).
7. Evaluation of the Tobacco Heating System 2.2. Part 1: Description of the system and the scientific assessment program. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology (2016).
8. Evaluation of the Tobacco Heating System 2.2. Part 2: Chemical composition, genotoxicity, cytotoxicity, and physical properties of the aerosol. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology (2016).