Determination of Hazardous VOCs and Nicotine Released from Mainstream Smoke by the Combination of the SPME and GC-MS Methods

In this study, the contents of nicotine and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in mainstream smoke (MSS) were analyzed using samples of four cigarette types consisting of two common brands (R and E) with full (F) and light (L) flavor, coded with R-F, R-L, E-F, and E-L. These cigarettes were also analyzed after removing the filter portions with the assignment of a new sample code of (N) as the third letter (e.g., R-L-N). A total of 44 VOCs (including nicotine) were quantified by the combination of the SPME and GC-MS methods. Out of the 44 VOCs, 10 were identified as hazardous air pollutants listed by the U.S. EPA, while their concentrations exceeded the reference exposure limits set by various agencies. A clear distinction was apparent in the concentration levels of VOCs between different brands or between full and light flavors. Nicotine concentrations varied greatly between different cigarettes types of the R brand, whereas such changes were insignificant in the counterpart E brand. This thus suggests that light-flavor cigarettes do not necessarily guarantee low doses of carcinogens (and tar) than regular cigarettes, as their differences can be balanced by the inhaling behavior of the smoker.