• 1/26/2006
  • London, England
  • A. McNeill et al.
  • Tobacco Control 2006;15:64-67; doi:10.1136/tc.2005.013011

Objective:
This study examined the constituents of smokeless tobacco products available in the UK and compared them with products available in India, Sweden, and the USA

Methods:
even UK brands of smokeless tobacco, including a tooth cleaning powder, and four international brands of smokeless tobacco were tested for a range of toxins and known carcinogens, such as tobacco specific N-nitrosamines (TSNA), as well as nicotine availability.

Results:
Ten of the 11 brands tested had detectable levels of tobacco specific nitrosamines, which are proven carcinogens, and levels varied 130-fold. All had detectable levels of benzo(a)pyrene, another proven carcinogen (with around 175-fold variation) and several toxic metals (with nearly 150-fold variation). Nicotine availability varied in the UK products from 0.1 mg/g to 63.2 mg/g. All the tobacco products tested are likely to be hazardous to users’ health, but the data indicate that it should be possible to reduce key toxins to non-detectable levels.

Conclusions:
Smokeless tobacco products should be regulated and standards set for maximum levels of toxins and carcin

Authors:
A McNeill(1), R Bedi(2), S Islam(2), M N Alkhatib(2) and R West(1)

Authors’ affiliations:
(1) Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, UK
(2) Department of Dental Public Health, King’s College London, London, UK