Effects of a nicotine-enriched cigarette on nicotine titration, daily cigarette consumption, and levels of carbon monoxide, cotinine, and nicotine

Abstract

To test whether cigarettes with low tar, low carbon monoxide, and medium nicotine yield produce less dangerous effects than cigarettes low in tar and CO but high in nicotine, 12 subjects were recruited to smoke nicotine-enriched cigarettes. The subjects smoked three types of cigarettes in the three experimental conditions: (1) their own brand; (2) cigarettes with 4.8 mg tar, 4.0mg CO, and 0.5 mg nicotine; (3) cigarettes with 5.8 mg tar, 4.1 mg CO, and 1.1 mg nicotine. Subjects monitored their daily consumption for 12 weeks; 4 weeks for each condition. During laboratory visits, the subjects smoked a cigarette while their heart rate and carbon monoxide in expired air were measured pre- and post-smoking. A blood sample was drawn and analyzed for nicotine and cotinine in each experimental condition. No significant differences in daily cigarette consumption were found, although a trend (Pr=77, P<0.005). A cigarette with low tar and CO, but medium to high nicotine yield, would seem to produce less hazardous effects and is worthy of further investigation. The controversial question of whether smokers titrate for nicotine is a function of the individual's nicotine dependence.