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Constituents of smoke from cigarettes made from diverted nicotine replacement therapy patches
Author(s) -
Morrissey Hana,
Ball Patrick,
Boland Martin,
Hefler Marita,
Thomas David P.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
drug and alcohol review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.018
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1465-3362
pISSN - 0959-5236
DOI - 10.1111/dar.12288
Subject(s) - nicotine , acetaldehyde , smoke , nicotine replacement therapy , caffeine , chemistry , acrolein , formaldehyde , cigarette smoke , food science , environmental chemistry , toxicology , pharmacology , chromatography , medicine , biochemistry , organic chemistry , biology , ethanol , catalysis
and Aims Anecdotes of nicotine replacement therapy patch misuse associated with the introduction of smoke‐free prisons have been reported by media internationally, including C anada in 2006, N ew Z ealand in 2011 and A ustralia in 2014. This study identifies chemical compounds released through diverted nicotine replacement therapy patches when they are smoked. Design and Methods Two samples were produced: (i) shredded 21 mg nicotine replacement therapy patches rolled with tea leaves into a cigarette; and (ii) patches boiled in water and tea leaves, and then dried tea leaves rolled into a cigarette. The smoke was tested for nicotine, caffeine and toxins. High‐performance liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry and spectrophotometry were used to detect the presence and quantity of nicotine and caffeine. A specialised laboratory was contracted to test the presence of toxins. Results Nicotine was liberated when the two samples were burnt but not if the nicotine replacement therapy patches were boiled in water alone. High concentrations of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acrolein, toluene, xylene and heavy metals were also released. Discussion and Conclusion Nicotine is released when diverted nicotine replacement therapy patches are smoked, as are caffeine and harmful toxins. These toxins have the potential to cause short‐ and long‐term health damage. [Morrissey H, Ball P, Boland M, Hefler M, Thomas DP. Constituents of smoke from cigarettes made from diverted nicotine replacement therapy patches. Drug Alcohol Rev 2016;35:206–11]