News Release

Higher nicotine, carcinogen levels among smokeless tobacco users compared with cig users

Peer-Reviewed Publication

American Association for Cancer Research

Bottom Line: U.S. adults who used only smokeless tobacco products had higher levels of biomarkers of exposure to nicotine and a cancer-causing toxicant -- the tobacco-specific nitrosamine NNK -- compared with those who used only cigarettes.

Journal in Which the Study was Published: Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research

Author: Brian Rostron, PhD, an epidemiologist in the Center for Tobacco Products at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Background: Even though smokeless tobacco is used less than cigarettes, it continues to be used among several population groups, particularly men and young people, which is a cause for concern because it has been found to have several adverse health effects and identified as a cause of cancer, explained Rostron. "Previous small studies have found high levels of toxic constituents including carcinogens [cancer-causing agents] in smokeless tobacco users, but analyses of nationally representative data have been generally lacking to date," he said.

How the Study Was Conducted: Rostron and colleagues analyzed data on biomarkers of exposure to seven tobacco constituents, including nicotine and tobacco-specific nitrosamine, available from 23,684 adults who participated in NHANES [National Health and Nutrition and Examination Survey] from 1999 to 2012. Participant-reported cigarette and smokeless tobacco use was used to categorize individuals into four groups. There were 16,313 nontobacco users, 488 exclusive smokeless tobacco users, 6,791 exclusive cigarette smokers, and 92 dual cigarette and smokeless tobacco users.

Results: The geometric mean serum level of cotinine, the biomarker of nicotine exposure, was higher in exclusive smokeless tobacco users compared with exclusive cigarette smokers: 178.9 nanograms per milliliter (ng/ml) versus 130.6 ng/ml. The geometric mean urine level of 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL), the biomarker of NNK exposure, was also higher in exclusive smokeless tobacco users compared with exclusive cigarette smokers: 583.0 picograms per milligram (pg/mg) of creatinine versus 217.6 pg/mg of creatinine.

Author Comment: Rostron said, "Our analysis of data from NHANES, a large, nationally representative study of U.S. health behaviors and outcomes, generated results consistent with those from previous smaller studies. Levels of biomarkers of exposure to nicotine and the cancer-causing tobacco constituent NNK were higher among exclusive smokeless tobacco users than exclusive cigarette smokers. This continues to put smokeless tobacco users at risk for adverse health effects, including cancer.

"Our findings demonstrate the need for continuing study of the toxic constituents of smokeless tobacco as well as their health effects on the individuals who use them," he added." This is why the FDA and CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] are continuing to analyze and monitor biomarker levels among tobacco users and why the FDA and NIH [National Institutes of Health] are collaborating on the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study, a large longitudinal study in which biospecimens such as blood and urine have been collected."

Study Limitations: Rostron explained that although the current study uses the best available data, the nature of the data collected in NHANES is a limitation to the study. For example, because NHANES is a general health survey, there is no detailed information on the type of smokeless tobacco product used; there is no information on the quantity of the smokeless tobacco product used; and there is no information on duration or former use of smokeless tobacco products. He concluded that PATH Study data will allow for more specific analyses of tobacco use and harm.

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Funding & Disclosures: The study was supported in part by both the FDA and CDC. Rostron has no conflicts of interest to declare.

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About the American Association for Cancer Research

Founded in 1907, the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) is the world's oldest and largest professional organization dedicated to advancing cancer research and its mission to prevent and cure cancer. AACR membership includes more than 35,000 laboratory, translational, and clinical researchers; population scientists; other health care professionals; and patient advocates residing in 101 countries. The AACR marshals the full spectrum of expertise of the cancer community to accelerate progress in the prevention, biology, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer by annually convening more than 30 conferences and educational workshops, the largest of which is the AACR Annual Meeting with almost 19,300 attendees. In addition, the AACR publishes eight prestigious, peer-reviewed scientific journals and a magazine for cancer survivors, patients, and their caregivers. The AACR funds meritorious research directly as well as in cooperation with numerous cancer organizations. As the Scientific Partner of Stand Up To Cancer, the AACR provides expert peer review, grants administration, and scientific oversight of team science and individual investigator grants in cancer research that have the potential for near-term patient benefit. The AACR actively communicates with legislators and other policymakers about the value of cancer research and related biomedical science in saving lives from cancer. For more information about the AACR, visit http://www.AACR.org.


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