Estimation of available nicotine content of six smokeless tobacco products

Abstract

Correspondence to : Jack E Henningfield, NIDA Addiction Research Center, PO Box 5180 (or 4940 Eastern Ave), Baltimore, MD 21224, USA Abstract Objective To determine if nicotine con tent and pH vary among a series of smokeless tobacco products and if nic otine dosage would be altered selectively. Methods The pH level and nicotine con centration were determined in six smoke less tobacco products. The tests were performed on four sets of samples bought in three regions of the US. Free, un ionised nicotine, available for absorption, was estimated mathematically with the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation. Results Nicotine concentrations of the tobacco products were 7.5 mg nicotine per gram of wet (undried) tobacco for Skoal Bandits Wintergreen and ranged from 10.3 to 11.4 mg/g for the other five products. The pH levels were 6.9 for Skoal Bandits Wintergreen, 8.6 for Copenhagen Snuff, and ranged from 7.4 to 7.6 for the other products. These data enabled the identification of four levels of available nicotine across products, with free nic otine estimates in aqueous solutions ranging from 7% to 79%. Conclusions Nicotine dosing capability shows wide variation across products and is determined by the nicotine content and pH level. Manipulation of pH appears to be the primary means of nicotine dose control. Human bioavailability testing would be required to determine actual amounts and rates of nicotine absorbed per gram of the various products and to determine the influence of factors such as tobacco cut and other chemical additives.