Published: 24 March 2015
Abstract
Background: Some electronic cigarette (EC) liquids of
tobacco flavour contain extracts of cured tobacco leaves produced by a process
of solvent extraction and steeping. These are commonly called Natural Extract
of Tobacco (NET) liquids. The purpose of the study was to evaluate nicotine
levels and the presence of tobacco-derived toxins in tobacco-flavoured
conventional and NET liquids. Methods. Twenty-one samples (10 conventional
and 11 NET liquids) were obtained from the US and Greek market. Nicotine levels
were measured and compared with labelled values. The levels of tobacco-derived
chemicals were compared with literature data on tobacco products.
Results: Twelve samples had nicotine levels within 10%
of the labelled value. Inconsistency ranged from −21% to 22.1%, with no
difference observed between conventional and NET liquids. Tobacco-specific
nitrosamines (TSNAs) were present in all samples at ng/mL levels. Nitrates were
present almost exclusively in NET liquids. Acetaldehyde was present
predominantly in conventional liquids while formaldehyde was detected in almost
all EC liquids at trace levels. Phenols were present in trace amounts, mostly
in NET liquids. Total TSNAs and nitrate, which are derived from the tobacco
plant, were present at levels 200–300 times lower in 1 mL of NET liquids
compared to 1 gram of tobacco products.
Conclusions: NET liquids contained higher levels of phenols
and nitrates, but lower levels of acetaldehyde compared to conventional EC
liquids. The lower levels of tobacco-derived toxins found in NET liquids
compared to tobacco products indicate that the extraction process used to make
these products did not transfer a significant amount of toxins to the NET.
**** Overall, all EC liquids contained far lower (by 2–3
orders of magnitude) levels of the tobacco-derived toxins compared to tobacco
products.
Keywords: electronic cigarette; tobacco; nitrosamines;
aldehydes; nitrates; phenols; nicotine
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