Toxicological Assessment of Mainstream Emissions From Tobacco Heating System Compared to Conventional Cigarettes and Beedis

This research article evaluates the toxicological impact of mainstream emissions from a Tobacco Heating System (THS) in comparison to conventional cigarettes (CIG) and beedis (BDI). The study highlights the distinct advantage of THS in signicantly reducing concentrations of toxicants in its mainstream aerosol due to its low operating temperature, when compared with the mainstream smoke of CIG and BDI. Notably, the reduction rates for carcinogenic toxicants surpass 84% compared to CIG and exceed 69% compared to BDI. The assessment of cytotoxic and genotoxic potencies through NRU and Comet assay methods reveals a substantial decrease in the mainstream aerosol of THS compared to the mainstream smoke of CIG and BDI. These ndings underscore the potential harm reduction associated with the use of THS, indicating a marked decrease in the release of harmful substances and a signicant improvement in the cytotoxic and genotoxic proles, thereby contributing valuable insights to public health discourse and regulatory considerations in the context of alternative tobacco products.