Biomarkers of exposure to nicotine and selected toxicants in individuals who use alternative tobacco products sold in Japan and Canada in 2018-2019.

Background: Comparisons of nicotine and toxicant exposure between people who use different alternative tobacco products remains underexplored.

Methods: This cross-sectional, multi-country study analyzed urinary metabolites of nicotine, NNK, and volatile organic compounds (acrolein, acrylamide, acrylonitrile) among established users (n=550) in Japan and Canada. Participants exclusively or concurrently used nicotine vaping products (NVPs; Canada only), heated tobacco products (HTPs; Japan only), and combustible cigarettes (CCs; Japan and Canada), or abstained (Japan and Canada).

Results: All product groups showed substantial nicotine exposure. Both HTPs and NVPs exposed exclusive users to lower toxicant levels than exclusive CC use. Canadian participants who exclusively used NVPs exhibited lower NNK and acrolein exposure but higher acrylamide exposure than Japanese participants who exclusively used HTPs. Concurrent use of CCs alongside alternative products exposed users to higher toxicant levels compared to exclusive use of either alternative product.

Conclusions: Exclusive use of alternative tobacco products results in significant nicotine exposure but substantially lower toxicant exposure compared to exclusive CC use. People who use HTPs in Japan may experience higher exposure to nicotine and certain toxicants (NNK, acrolein) than people who use NVPs in Canada. Concurrent use results suggest that partially substituting CCs with alternative products may reduce toxicant exposure, but to a lesser extent than completely transitioning to alternative products.

Impact: Exposure patterns between two popular alternative tobacco products differ. The overall toxicant exposure from these products is lower than CCs, providing critical data for regulatory decisions and public health considerations.