Emissions of Inhaled Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene and Xylene from Slim, Classic and Heated Cigarettes

Introduction: BTEX are classified as carcinogens by WHO. This study quantifies BTEX emissions from different tobacco products. Methods: 12 different products were used: 4 slim cigarettes, 6 classic and 2 heated. Each one was connected to a 20mL vial. The vials were initially evacuated by a pump for 2 minutes, then the cigarettes were lit and the smoke was collected for 30s in the vial. Then, the smoke was analyzed using solid-phase microextraction–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Each test is replicated three times. Results: Figures 1 and 2 show the BTEX emissions for all products. The emissions were not normalized for nicotine uptake. The emissions of classic products are the highest, while the emissions of slim cigarettes corresponds to 15-35% of the classic ones. However, the emissions os classic cigarettes are very scattered and those of some products are very close to the emissions of slims. The emissions of the two HTP corresponds to 1.5-3.5% of the classic cigarettes. Conclusions: The BTEX emissions of classic cigarettes are the higher but very scatted, those of slims generaly lower and those of heated products even lower.