No Difference Between Urinary Mutagenicity in Smokers of Low-Tar and Medium-Tar Cigarettes: A Double-Blind Cross-Over Study

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Abstract
Urinary mutagenicity, blood carboxyhemoglobin and serum thiocyanate levels were measured in young, healthy volunteers smoking a fixed number of either low-tar (5 mg/cig.) or medium-tar (15 mg/cig.) cigarettes. The experiment was performed in a double-blind cross-over fashion. The volunteers were under daily control, and their diet and environment were standardized. The urinary mutagenic activity responded dose-dependently to the number of cigarettes smoked (0, 5, 10 or 20 per day), but there was no difference between the smokers of low-tar and medium-tar cigarettes. Neither were any significant differences found in blood carboxyhemoglobin nor serum thiocyanate. These results suggest that there is no substantial difference between the low-tar and medium-tar cigarette as to the inhalation of hazardous compounds in the real smoking situation.