Waterpipe-associated particulate matter emissions.

Waterpipe tobacco smoking is increasingly common worldwide, and evidence about its harmful effects to smokers is emerging. However, no studies have investigated the potential exposure of nonsmokers to waterpipe smoke. We measured particulate matter (PM) emissions (PM2.5, PM10) before and during laboratory sessions in which 20 individuals used a waterpipe to smoke tobacco and 20 individuals smoked a cigarette (10 for each particle-size/smoking-method), as well as 10 waterpipe and 10 cigarette smoldering sessions (i.e., without a smoker). A TSI-SidePak aerosol monitor obtained PM2.5, PM10 background, smoking, and maximum levels. Mean PM2.5 rose 447% for waterpipe (from 48 microg/m3 background to 264 microg/m3 smoking), and by 501% for cigarettes (from 44 microg/m3 to 267 microg/m3), whereas mean PM10 rose by 563% for waterpipe (from 55 microg/m3 to 365 microg/m3), and by 447% for cigarettes (from 52 microg/m3 to 287 microg/m3) (p<.05 for all). The increase in PM during cigarette smoking was due primarily to PM2.5, given that the proportion of PM2.5 from total PM10 increase was 95% compared with 70% for waterpipe (p<.05). Maximum PM2.5 was 908 microg/m3 for waterpipe and 575 microg/m3 for cigarettes, whereas maximum PM10 was 1052 microg/m3 for waterpipe and 653 microg/m3 for cigarettes. Mean PM2.5 and PM10 smoldering levels did not differ from background for waterpipe but were significantly higher for cigarettes (PM2.5: 33-190 microg/m3; PM10: 42-220 microg/m3). Policymakers considering clean air regulations should include waterpipe tobacco smoking, and the public should be warned about this source of smoke exposure.     

Effect of charcoal-containing cigarette filters on gas phase volatile organic compounds in mainstream cigarette smoke

Of the chemicals identified to date in mainstream cigarette smoke with known toxicological properties, the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are considered the most hazardous group owing to their high abundance and toxicity. In this research we evaluate a recently introduced line of cigarettes that contain charcoal in their filters. The amount of charcoal in these filters ranged from 45 mg to 180 mg and were either dispersed among the filter material or contained in a small cavity in the filter segment. Charcoal has long been used for removing VOCs from both water and air. Our findings indicate that these cigarettes reduce machine generated mainstream smoke deliveries of a wide range of VOCs compared to a similar, non-charcoal filtered, cigarette. However, this reduction is dependent not only on the amount of charcoal present but also on the volume of smoke being drawn through the filter. While a brand with 45 mg charcoal reduces VOC delivery under ISO smoking conditions, charcoal saturation and breakthrough occur under more intense smoking conditions. Breakthrough is minimised for brands with the most charcoal. Overall, the brands with the most charcoal are effective at reducing VOC deliveries under even intense smoking conditions.     

Exhalation of malondialdehyde from the smoke of high grade cigarettes and effectiveness of filtering it

It has been found that malondialdehyde penetrates during smoking through filters and exhales with smoke from cigarettes such as: "Pall Mall", "Winston", "Camel", "Lucky Strike", "Kansas", "Mustang", "Ronson", "Chesterfield", "Rally", "Oscar" and "Marlboro". These cigarettes exhale malondialdehyde in a different way, in free form in the amount from 8.5 to 23.5 mg/kg cigarettes on an average of 13.3 mg/kg for the whole group and totally (in free and bounded form) from 9.5 to 26.5 mg/kg (average 16.9 mg/kg). Moreover, it has been found that filters retain this aldehyde in free form on an average of 9.9 mg/kg and totally (in free and bounded form) of 19.0 mg/kg. Without filters these amounts would increase aldehyde contents in smoke by 42.7 and 52.9%, respectively. Low malonalogenic properties of tobacco, high effectiveness of cigarette filters, high degree of tar deposition before inhaling into lungs and slow (6 min and longer) smoking decide about low level of exhalation of malondialdehyde in cigarette smoke.     

与环境烟气相关的挥发性有机物的特性

本项研究测定了环境烟气(ETS)中的多种挥发性有机物,在环境实验室中目标化合物的唯一来源就是ETS。实验室中的ETS是由燃吸肯塔基参考卷烟和其他8种市售卷烟产生的。在12轮试验中同时测定了30多种化合物。目标化合物分为3类,即:气相ETS标识物3乙基吡啶(简称3-EP)与烟碱、羰基化合物(包括甲醛)和挥发性有机化合物(简称VOCs)。利用环境实验室研究结果可以确定各种VOCs与3-EP(气相ETS标记物)的特征比率,另外还可以用来估测与ETS相关的VOCs的散发因子。总体说来,本项研究测得的特征比率与以往已经发表的实验室研究数据是一致的,这意味着,"真实"室内环境受多种来源的复杂的混合物影响。本项研究测定的特征比值也可以用于ETS目标化合物的定性和定量分析      

Effect of the New York State cigarette fire safety standard on ignition propensity, smoke constituents, and the consumer market

Objectives: This study examines empirical evidence from the New York experience testing tobacco industry arguments made in opposition to fire safety standards for cigarettes. Design: Percentages of cigarettes exhibiting full length burns (FLBs), cigarette sales before and following the implementation of the New York standards, a sample of retail cigarette prices, brand availability, and selected smoke constituent yields were compared between cigarettes sold in New York and two other states. Cigarette paper analysis was conducted on cigarettes sold in New York. Results: New York cigarette brands averaged 10.0% FLBs as compared to 99.8% for California and Massachusetts brands. Reduced ignition propensity (RIP) appears to have been achieved by cigarette paper banding. Cigarette sales, prices, and brand availability do not appear to have been affected by the New York standards. Yields of the majority of smoke constituents tested did not differ substantially between RIP cigarettes sold in New York as compared to the same brands sold in Massachusetts. Average yields of tar, carbon monoxide, and two compounds were slightly higher, the yields of seven compounds were higher for one brand only, and nicotine was lower, among New York brands tested. Conclusions: RIP cigarette brands have been designed to meet the New York fire safety standards. Their introduction has not affected cigarette sales or prices in New York. There is no evidence that the small increases in smoke constituent yields affect the already highly toxic nature of cigarette smoke. Data on smoking caused fires, deaths, and injuries dating from after the change in law are not yet available. Such data will be able to address the question of whether the demonstrated reduced ignition standards are associated with reduced fires and injuries. Based on the New York experience, prior industry objections to producing RIP cigarettes are unfounded. Other states and nations should adopt similar standards.     

Digital image analysis of cigarette filter staining to estimate smoke exposure.

Sufficient variation exists in how people smoke each cigarette that the number of cigarettes smoked daily and the years of smoking represent only crude measures of exposure to the toxins in tobacco smoke. Previous research has shown that spent cigarette filters can provide information about how individuals smoke cigarettes. Digital image analysis has been used to identify filter vent blocking and may also provide an inexpensive, unobtrusive index of overall smoke exposure. A total of 1,124 cigarette butts smoked by 53 participants in a smoking topography study were imaged and analyzed. Imaging showed test-retest reliability of more than 95% among those smoking their own brand. Mean color scores (CIELAB system) showed acceptable stability (>.60) across days, paralleling the basic stability of smoking topography measures across waves. A principal components scoring showed that center tar staining, edge tar staining, and their interaction were significantly related to total smoke volume, accounting for 73% of the variation. Estimated smoke volume was a significant predictor of salivary cotinine when accounting for cigarettes smoked per day. These data suggest that digital image analysis of spent cigarette butts can serve as a reliable proxy measure of total smoke volume.     

Gender differences relative to smoking behavior and emissions of toxins from mainstream cigarette smoke.

This study examined whether gender differences exist in the exposure to select mainstream cigarette smoke toxins as a result of differences in smoking behavior or type of cigarettes smoked among 129 female and 128 male smokers. Smoking topography data indicated that, compared with men, women took smaller puffs (37.6 ml/puff vs. 45.8 ml/puff; p = .0001) of shorter duration (1.33 s/puff vs. 1.48 s/puff; p = .002) but drew more puffs per cigarette (13.5 vs. 12.0; p = .001) and left longer butts (36.3 mm or 40.2% of cigarette length vs. 34.3 mm or 39.2% of cigarette length; p = .01). These trends were similar in both African Americans and European Americans. The emissions of select toxins per cigarette, as determined by mimicking human smoking behaviors were greater among the male smokers than the female smokers and correlated significantly with delivered smoke volume per cigarette. The geometric means of emissions of nicotine from cigarettes were 1.92 mg/cigarette (95% CI = 1.80-2.05) for women versus 2.20 (95% CI = 2.04-2.37) for men (p = .005). Cigarettes smoked by women yielded 139.5 ng/cigarette of 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK; 95% CI = 128.8-151.0), compared with 170.3 ng/cigarette (95% CI = 156.3-185.6) for men (p = .0007); benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) emissions were 18.0 ng/cigarette (95% CI = 17.0-19.0) for women and 20.5 ng/cigarette (95% CI = 18.8-22.3) for men (p = .01). The gender differences with regard to cigarette smoke yields of toxins were more profound in European Americans than in African Americans. On average, African American men's smoking habits produced the highest emissions of select toxins from cigarettes, and European American female smokers had the lowest exposure to carcinogens and toxins. Several studies have suggested that women may be more susceptible than men to the ill effects of carcinogens in tobacco and tobacco smoke, whereas other studies have not found differences in lung cancer risk between men and women. The present study suggests that gender differences in exposure to tobacco smoke cannot account for a higher rate of lung cancer in female smokers compared with male smokers.     

低焦油、低自由基、富硒烤烟型卷烟的研制

为了提高卷烟的安全性,本文研制开发了一种低焦油、低自由基、硒含量较高的烤烟型卷烟。在研制过程中,利用一系列工艺技术,如选择能够促进有机化合物裂解、减少干馏物形成的催化剂添加到卷烟烟丝中来降低焦油释放量;选择能够提高燃烧锥温度和燃烧速率的助燃剂;添加高效能的自由基捕获剂来捕获卷烟燃烧过程中产生的自由基;在叶组配方中使用一定量的富硒烟叶等。同时,在产品的设计中采用了高透气度盘纸、烟丝膨胀技术和有添加剂的卷烟滤嘴等卷烟降焦技术。研究结果表明:研制的卷烟焦油量在12 mg/支以下,自由基总量降低了40%,微量元素硒成功地导入到主流烟气中,研制的卷烟主流烟气硒含量比普通卷烟的硒含量增加了140%。      

Determination of 14 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in mainstream smoke from domestic cigarettes

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a class of environmental pollutants created primarily from incomplete combustion of various organic materials including tobacco. Cigarette smoke is a complex mixture of various classes of compounds, including numerous PAHs, in both the mainstream and the sidestream smoke fractions. We measured the levels of 14 PAHs in mainstream smoke from unfiltered custom cigarettes made from individual tobacco types and 30 brands of domestic blended cigarettes using standardized smoking conditions, extraction from the Cambridge filter pads, and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Differences in smoke PAHs from cigarettes with selected tobacco blends were identified and illustrate how blend composition contributes to the overall mainstream smoke PAH profile. The PAH levels varied among the different commercial cigarette brands, with the amount of total mainstream smoke PAHs ranging from 1 to 1.6 microg per cigarette. Under machine smoking conditions, the mainstream smoke from domestic cigarettes had individual PAHs ranging from benzo[k]fluoranthene at levels below 10 ng/cigarette to naphthalene at levels of around 500 ng/cigarette. Low delivery cigarettes smoked with blocked filter vent holes dramatically increased the mainstream smoke PAH deliveries with respect to their unblocked counterparts. Inhalation of PAHs and other harmful chemicals from cigarette smoke are unique as they represent a routine voluntary exposure to common environmental pollutants.     

Long duration tests of room air filters in cigarette smokers' homes

Information regarding the long-term performance of stand-alone room airfilters is limited. In this study, laboratory and field tests were carried out to determine the effectiveness and performance of room filters that are easily deployed in essentially any type of house. Tests were conducted in houses containing strong PM sources, specifically cigarette smokers. Using commercially available four-speed HEPA filter units, we tested flow rate, pressure drop, and power consumption as a function of fan speed and filter loading. Filters were then deployed in four single-family homes over a 2 month period. Between 15 and 40 cigarettes were smoked daily by several smokers in each home. Occupants were instructed to continuously operate the unit at one of the higher speeds. Periodically, we monitored filter usage, fan speed, particulate matter (PM) mass concentrations, PM number concentrations, volatile organic compound (VOC) levels, and other parameters with the filter fan operating and with filters both installed and removed. The filters decreased PM concentrations by 30-70%, depending on size fraction and occupant activities, and significantly reduced the half-life of PM3-1.0. The half-life of 1-5 microm particles, CO2 concentrations, and VOC concentrations, including 2,5-dimethyl furan (a tracer for environmental tobacco smoke), did not change, indicating that occupancy and cigarette smoking intensity did not change overthe monitoring periods. Occupants generally kept the filters operating at a moderate speed. Filter air flow rates decreased 7-14% with extended operation, largely due to the loading of prefilters. Air exchange rates, deposition loss rates, and clean air delivery rates were estimated from the field data. Continuous operation at an intermediate fan speed would incur a total annualized cost of $236. While acceptance of the filters was very high, occupants might benefit from instructions and reminders to clean the prefilter and to keep the unit on. We conclude that adequately sized room air filters can substantially lower PM concentrations in smoker's homes if air exchange rates are limited and that the filters can maintain their performance over extended periods.     

Effects of low nicotine content cigarettes on smoke intake.

Cigarettes with selective reductions in nicotine delivery have been considered as potential tools to prevent or treat nicotine dependence or to reduce harm by virtue of reduced nicotine and nitrosamine delivery. An important question is whether individuals smoke these products more intensively, as has been shown to occur with ventilated-filter cigarettes. To investigate this issue, we compared conventional highly ventilated filter cigarettes, having very low tar and nicotine yields when smoked by Federal Trade Commission method (1 mg tar, 2 mg carbon monoxide [CO],.2 mg nicotine), with low nicotine content cigarettes, manufactured from a genetically modified strain of tobacco, which had higher tar but lower nicotine yield (14 mg tar, 13 mg CO,.02 mg nicotine). A total of 16 cigarette smokers participated in two 8-hr sessions (order counterbalanced) during which they smoked each type of cigarette ad libitum. Expired-air CO, plasma nicotine, and smoking topography measures were collected. Subjects showed significant increases in smoking when using the highly ventilated filter cigarettes, and puff volume was significantly greater than with the low nicotine content cigarettes. Subjects achieved an expired-air CO level 74% as high as with the low nicotine content cigarettes; the latter produced CO levels similar to those measured at baseline when subjects smoked their habitual brands of cigarettes. Plasma nicotine levels obtained when subjects smoked the highly ventilated filter cigarettes also were significantly higher than when they smoked the low nicotine content cigarettes. These results indicate that the delivery of substantial amounts of smoke, with selective reductions in nicotine yield, appears to prevent compensatory smoking behavior. Further studies should determine whether similar results are obtained in naturalistic environments.     

一种卷烟降焦剂的研制

为研究用化学方法降低卷烟焦油量的可行性,将一种或几种金属盐与碱金属氢氧化物的水溶液反应生成的凝乳状混合物制成降焦剂,添加到烟丝或再造烟叶中,按常规工艺卷制成卷烟。检测结果表明,该添加剂的降焦效果显著,焦油降低量最多可达6mg/支,且对卷烟吸味质量无不良影响。     

Smoke constituent exposure and smoking topography of adolescent daily cigarette smokers.

Adolescent smoking prevalence is a major health concern, with 24.4% reporting smoking in the past 30 days and 15.8% considered daily smokers. The purpose of this study was to characterize biobehavioral nicotine dependence, smoke constituent exposure and smoking topography in adolescent daily smokers. Relationships among biological markers of nicotine dependence (nicotine boost, carbon monoxide [CO] boost and cotinine levels) with existing self-report measures (modified Fagerstr?m Tolerance Questionnaire [mFTQ] and the motivations for smoking scale) were examined. Gender differences were characterized. Fifty adolescents 13-18 years old were recruited for the study, 50% female. CO, plasma nicotine levels pre- and postcigarette, cotinine, and smoking topography were measured during a smoking bout with participant's usual cigarette. Average CO boost, pre- to postcigarette was 7.2 + 3.6 ppm, baseline cotinine level averaged 224.0 +/- 169.6 ng/ml and nicotine boost averaged 23.4 +/- 21.7 ng/ml. Mean puffs per cigarette was 14.2 +/- 6.3. Males had significantly higher total puff volumes, but similar smoke constituent exposure to females, and higher handling of cigarettes as smoking motive. In regression analysis, 35% of variance in tobacco use, as indicated by baseline cotinine concentration, was explained by maximum puff duration, postcigarette CO level, and nicotine dependence, as measured by the mFTQ. Results indicated adolescents had considerable smoke constituent exposure and nicotine dependence suggesting the importance of appropriate smoking cessation treatment.     

Development of a method to assess cigarette smoke intake

Tar and nicotine deliveries of cigarettes measured using current standardized smoking machine protocols provide poor estimates of smoke exposure. The characteristics of human smoking behavior vary considerably and differ from the rigid parameters used with current standardized smoking machine protocols. Current alternatives, including measurement of biomarkers, are invasive, time-dependent, and can be too expensive to be used as mechanisms for carrying out large-scale investigations required to help determine the influence of cigarette design on smoking behaviors. To obtain more reasonable estimates of mainstream smoke exposure, we developed a method to quantitatively measure solanesol, a naturally occurring component in tobacco that is deposited during smoking in the cigarette filter butt. Quantification of solanesol extracted from the filters using liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry is efficient, rapid, and extremely reliable. We found that the amount of solanesol deposited in a cigarette filter is related to the mainstream smoke deliveries of tar and nicotine under a variety of smoking conditions. In addition, the amount of solanesol trapped in the filter remains stable at least 4 weeks after smoking. Measuring solanesol in cigarette filters as an exposure marker provides a noninvasive means to obtain reasonable estimates of mainstream tar and nicotine smoke deliveries under a wide variety of smoking conditions.     

切丝宽度对中支卷烟烟丝结构、烟支理化指标及感官质量的影响

为了探究切丝宽度对中支卷烟烟丝结构、烟支物理指标、烟气指标、主流烟气粒相物致香成分含量及感官质量的影响,在切丝宽度分别为0.80、0.85、0.90、0.95、1.00 mm时,采用相同的烟丝加工和卷制条件卷制成烟支圆周为22 mm的中支卷烟,分析了烟丝结构和成品烟支物理指标、烟气指标、主流烟气粒相物致香成分含量和感官质量。结果表明:①切丝宽度由0.80 mm增加至1.00 mm,整丝率提高2.85百分点,碎丝率降低0.80百分点,烟支圆周呈现增加的趋势,烟支吸阻呈现逐渐降低的趋势,烟支吸阻降低164 Pa。切丝宽度为0.85 mm时,烟支单支质量标准偏差和吸阻标准偏差最小。②烟气CO量和切丝宽度之间呈现显著负相关;随着切丝宽度增加,烟气烟碱量增大,变化在0.04 mg/支范围内;烟气焦油量先增大后减小,在切丝宽度为0.95 mm时达到最大。③烟气粒相物致香成分中羰基类化合物、杂环类化合物、酚类化合物含量及致香成分总量,均呈现先增加后降低并趋于稳定的趋势,在切丝宽度为0.85 mm时达到最大。④烟支整体感官质量得分和单项指标得分随着切丝宽度的增加均呈现下降的趋势,切丝宽度为0.80~0.90 mm的样品感官质量明显好于切丝宽度为0.95 mm和1.00 mm的样品。     

烟支规格对卷烟物理、烟气、燃吸特性及感官质量的影响

为探究烟支规格对卷烟质量的影响,在烟丝原料、填充密度、卷烟纸透气度、接装纸规格、丝束材料以及滤棒吸阻条件相同的情况下卷制4种规格卷烟[烟支规格(烟支圆周×长度):常规(24.3 mm×84 mm)、22 mm卷烟(22 mm×84 mm)、中支(20 mm×89 mm)、细支(16.9 mm×97 mm)],检测其物理...     

凹凸棒石吸附剂在卷烟滤嘴中的应用实验

为寻求一种能够有选择性地去除卷烟烟气中有害物质的吸附剂 ,进行了凹凸棒石在卷烟滤嘴中的添加应用实验。在滤棒成形机上将 3%的凹凸棒石悬浊液均匀施加到开松后的醋酸纤维丝束上 ,制备成合格的滤棒样品 ,控制每支滤棒中的吸附剂含量约为 1.5mg ;取普通醋酸纤维滤棒作对照 ,与添加凹凸棒石吸附剂的醋酸纤维滤棒于同一卷接机组、同一原材料、同一卷制条件下卷接成烟支 ,进行卷烟烟气分析和评吸对比。实验结果表明 ,在醋酸纤维滤棒中添加凹凸棒石吸附剂 ,能使焦油降低 1.4mg 支 ,一氧化碳降低 1.1mg 支 ,而烟碱量保持不变 ,且卷烟的内在质量不受影响 ,能够保持卷烟原有的吸味风格。     

The dog as a passive smoker: effects of exposure to environmental cigarette smoke on domestic dogs.

Of the few studies available regarding the effects of smoking on animals, most of them involve animals actively smoking through the use of a mask or tracheostomy. The present study investigated the effects of passive smoke exposure on domestic dogs. The sample comprised 30 Yorkshire terriers (18 males) ranging in age from 27 to 106 months (M = 38.6+/-15.8) and weighing 1.9-4.0 kg (M = 3.04+/-0.48). Half of the dogs came from homes where residents smoked at least 20 cigarettes/day for a minimum of 24 months, and the other half were from homes without smokers. All animals were subjected to bronchoalveolar lavage to determine cell populations and the presence of anthracosis in macrophage cytoplasm; in addition, a carinal biopsy was obtained. To characterize environmental cigarette smoke exposure, urinary cotinine was determined by an immunochromatographic assay. Cotinine was not detected in the urine of dogs not exposed to cigarette smoke, whereas exposed dogs tested positive. In dogs exposed to cigarette smoke, macrophage and lymphocyte populations were significantly increased (p<.05) and anthracosis was present in the cytoplasm of macrophages. The measurement of urinary cotinine by an immunochromatographic assay is an effective method that can be used to confirm environmental tobacco exposure. Cytological analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid demonstrated airway alterations triggered by passive exposure to tobacco smoke in domestic animals.     

卷烟主流烟气中焦油释放量的测量不确定度评定

目的评定卷烟主流烟气中焦油含量的测量不确定度,为测定主流烟气中焦油含量提供有效、可靠的测量数据。方法用吸烟机对卷烟主流烟气中的粒相成分进行捕集,应用气相色谱法对粒相成分中的烟碱和水分含量进行测定,再由总粒相物含量得出卷烟烟气中焦油含量。根据JJF(烟草)1-2007的指导方法,对上述焦油整个测量过程进行研究,系统分析得出不确定度来源和不确定度数学模型的基础上,确定焦油测量结果的置信区间,表述出了合成标准不确定和扩展不确定度。结果焦油测量不确定度的主要来源是由气相色谱测定曲线拟合及测试环境波动造成的,因此在检测过程中应尽量提高拟合曲线的线性度,并减小测试环境的波动,才能进一步的减小测量不确定度。结论该样品的焦油含量为8.98 mg/支,扩展不确定度为0.15 mg/支。     

Determination of tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide yields in the mainstream smoke of selected international cigarettes

Objective: Survey of nicotine, tar, and carbon monoxide (CO) smoke deliveries from 77 cigarette brands purchased in 35 countries was conducted using a standardised machine smoking method. The goal of this study was to determine regional variations and differences in the tar, nicotine, and CO smoke yields of a cigarette brand manufactured by a leading transnational corporation and of non-US locally popular cigarette brands.

Design: The majority of the cigarettes were purchased in each of the participating countries by delegate members of the World Health Organization and forwarded to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for analysis. Smoke deliveries were determined using a standardised smoking machine method and subsequent gravimetric and gas chromatography analysis.

Results: The smoke deliveries varied widely. Mainstream smoke deliveries varied from 6.8 to 21.6 mg tar/cigarette, 0.5 to 1.6 mg nicotine/cigarette, and 5.9 to 17.4 mg CO/cigarette. In addition to the smoke deliveries, the cigarettes were examined to determine physical parameters such as filter composition, length, and ventilation levels.

Conclusion: Analysis of the smoke deliveries suggested that cigarettes from the Eastern Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, and Western Pacific WHO regions tended to have higher tar, nicotine, and CO smoke deliveries than did brands from the European, American, or African WHO regions surveyed.