On the role of monitoring biomarkers of tobacco consumption and nicotine-containing products in the prevention of smoking among adolescents in a metropolis.

Transformation of conventional cigarettes into innovative nicotine-containing products (NP) with an elegant design and various flavors is aimed at teenagers and women. The strategy of the state anti-tobacco policy and measures to popularize the culture of health have increased the role of the family in smoking prevention. Objective of the study: evaluation of the effectiveness of monitoring the consumption of tobacco and nicotine-containing products using biomarkers in the prevention of smoking among adolescents in a metropolitan area. Material and methods. To assess the effectiveness of monitoring the consumption of tobacco and nicotine-containing products using biomarkers in the prevention of smoking in adolescents in a metropolitan area. Material and methods: an observational analytical retrospective study was conducted. In the laboratory of OOO «DNKOM» (Moscow), the level of nicotine, cotinine and a biomarker of the effect of ES and vapes were measured in the middle portion of morning urine of adolescents. The analysis was performed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry on an Agilent 6890N instrument with an Agilent 5973N mass-selective detector (USA). Statistical processing was performed using the standard Microsoft Office package, Excel using Student’s t-test, differences were considered significant at p <0.05. Results and discussion. The results of measuring tobacco, ES and vaping biomarkers in the urine of 34 people aged 9–17 years (average age 14.03±0.27 years) were analyzed, including 64.7% (n = 22) boys and 35.3% (n = 12) girls. Three groups were formed: I – non-smokers – 12 people (35.3%); II – smokers who smoke regular cigarettes – 7 people (20.6%); III – ES and vaping smokers – 15 people (44.1%). Age and gender differences in the levels of nicotine, cotinine and the biomarker of the effect of ES and vapes are statistically insignificant, and girls and boys prefer ES – 41.7% and 45.4%, respectively. However, girls are less likely to use traditional cigarettes – 8.3% versus 27.3% for boys, and more often do not smoke – 50%. Thus, the level of CO in exhaled air can no longer be used as an indicator of the effectiveness or efficiency of measures taken to improve the system of medical care in medical prevention offices and departments, health centers. The introduction of new medical-organizational, educational and digital technologies in the prevention of active and passive tobacco consumption, regardless of the method of its delivery to the body, based on accessible non-invasive monitoring of biomarkers, will make the family a reliable ally in covering adolescents with preventive programs.