Emission level of seven mainstream smoke toxicants from cigarette with variable tobacco leaf constituents

[Introduction] Seven smoke constituents, including hydrogen cyanide (HCN), ammonia (NH3), phenol, benzo[α]pyrene (B[a]P), carbon monoxide (CO)¸ crotonaldehyde, and 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1- (3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK), are proposed be the most relevant constituents for smoking-related diseases. [Methods] Different combinations of leaf stalk positions, varieties and locations were used to create variable chemistry of cigarette filler and smoke. Experimental cigarettes were measured for emission level of seven smoke toxicants and content of seventy-three filler components. [Results] The ranges of coefficient of variation (CV) for seven smoke toxicants were 15.43%–43.15%. The emission pattern of NNK and crotonaldehyde were different from that of other five smoke toxicants. Most of the seven smoke toxicants were influenced in following order: stalk position > location > variety. The leaf constitutes closely correlated with seven smoke toxicants were analyzed. [Conclusions] The results showed that seven toxicants were significantly influenced by leaf position and location, and closely correlated with leaf components, such as potassium, malate and alkaloid contents. The results provide useful and comprehensive information on the affecting factors and correlating leaf constituents for the variations of seven smoke toxicants.