The distribution of total particulate matter (TPM) and nicotine between mainstream and sidestream smoke in bidis and cigarettes

The mainstream (MS) and sidestream (SS) smoke of three types of popular Indian cigarettes, a brand of low tar Indian cigarettes, a brand of US cigarettes and two brands of popular Indian bidis were analysed for carcinogenic total particulate matter (TPM) and nicotine levels employing standard smoking conditions and/or modified smoking standards. The analysis clearly demonstrated relatively higher levels of TPM and nicotine in MS of three types of popular Indian cigarettes when compared with a brand of low tar Indian cigarettes or a brand of US cigarettes or reported values for MS of western cigarettes. This was also reflected in MS/SS ratios of TPM and nicotine as TPM and nicotine levels in SS of Indian and US cigarettes were similar, when tested employing standard smoking conditions. Comparative analysis of Indian bidis/cigarettes and a brand of US cigarettes employing modified smoking standard (i.e. 2 puffs/min instead of 1 puff/min) revealed significantly lower values of TPM and nicotine in SS of Indian bids when compared with corresponding values in Indian/US cigarettes. This shows that contribution of TPM and nicotine in SS from a single bidi to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is very much less than that of a-single cigarette, and contribution of SS from Indian and US cigarettes to ETS appear to be similar. Reduced levels of TPM and nicotine in SS of bidis, probably due to lack of added burning agents, result into relatively higher deliveries of TPM and nicotine in MS as reflected by higher MS/SS values.