Combustible cigarettes, heated tobacco products, combined product use, and periodontal disease: A cross-sectional JASTIS study

Evaluating the Effects of Cigarette Smoking and Heated Tobacco Products on Hard Dental Tissues: A Comparative Histological and Colorimetric Analysis

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to evaluate and compare the impact of cigarette smoking (CS) and heated tobacco (HT) on the alteration of color and ultrastructural characteristics of human enamel and cementum.

BACKGROUND

According to tobacco companies, a less harmful substitute for CS is HT products. Nevertheless, comprehensive research on the effects of HT on tooth structures has been lacking. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the impact of CS and HT on the alteration of color and ultrastructural characteristics of human enamel and cementum.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty intact and noncarious human maxillary premolars extracted for orthodontic treatment purposes, previously disinfected, were used in the study. The specimens were randomly separated into six groups (n = 10), as follows: Group 1: enamel without smoking exposure; Group 2: enamel exposed to CS; Group 3: enamel exposed to HT; Group 4: cementum without smoking exposure; Group 5: cementum exposed to CS; and Group 6: cementum exposed to HT. The measurement of color change was conducted using a spectrophotometer. The surface alterations and mineral composition of enamel and cementum were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. ANOVA test followed by Tukey's post hoc test was used to determine significant differences between groups.

RESULTS

Results showed that CS had a more pronounced effect on enamel and cementum color changes than HT. The impact of CS and HT on color changes was more evident in cementum than in enamel. Surface morphology of enamel and cementum showed alterations in histology following exposure to both smoking types. Moreover, the mineral content experienced a significant reduction after using CS and HT. The reduction in calcium content after CS and HT exposure was similar. However, HT led to a significant decrease in the phosphorus content of enamel when compared with CS. At the same time, CS exposure in cementum resulted in a more significant reduction in Ca/P ratio than HT.

CONCLUSIONS

Although HT may appear to present a lower danger to hard dental tissues than CS, it is not entirely harmless. CS results in more color changes on the enamel and cementum of teeth. Both smoking methods affected the mineral content of teeth, with CS having a significant effect on the roots, while HT significantly affected the crowns' mineral composition.

Periodontal Health Status in Adults Exposed to Tobacco Heating System Aerosol and Cigarette Smoke vs. Non-Smokers: A Cross-Sectional Study

Tobacco heating systems (THS) are new products on the market, advertised as a less harmful alternative for smokers, in which tobacco is heated and not burned like in conventional cigarettes. This research explored the effect on periodontal tissues in contact with heating and burning tobacco residual products (smoke and tobacco).

METHODS

The sample included 66 subjects, patients of the Clinic of Dentistry in Rijeka, Croatia, aged 26-56 (median 38), 64% females. Three age- and gender-matched groups were formed (each N = 22): non-smokers, classic cigarettes smokers and THS smokers. Probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment loss (CAL) were primary research parameters.

RESULTS

Three groups differed in average PD and CAL (p ≤ 0.002), with cigarette smokers having the highest and non-smokers the lowest values (p ≤ 0.002). THS consumers generally had lower values of periodontal indices than smokers, but only CAL differed significantly (p = 0.011). Periodontal indices CAL and PD were worse in THS consumers than non-smokers, but they did not reach a level of statistical significance. Cigarette smoking was the only predictor of periodontitis (average CAL ≥ 4 mm) in logistic regression models, with an odds ratio of 4.7 (95% confidence interval 1.2-18.3; p = 0.027).

CONCLUSIONS

Exposure to nicotine-containing aerosol of THS in adults has a less harmful effect on periodontal tissues, measurable through periodontal indices (PD and CAL), compared to burning tobacco of conventional cigarettes. THS, presented as an alternative product to classic cigarettes, also has a detrimental effect on the periodontium.

Perceived relative harm of heated tobacco products and electronic cigarettes and its association with use in smoke-free places: A cross-sectional analysis of Korean adults

INTRODUCTION

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and heated tobacco products (HTPs) are often considered to be less harmful and safer than combustible cigarettes (CCs). As a result, numerous tobacco product users opt to use e-cigarettes or HTPs as a safer alternative, though the safety of these products is not fully warranted. The present study aimed to assess the various attitudes towards e-cigarettes and/or HTPs among Korean tobacco product users and their associations with the practical use of e-cigarettes and/or HTPs in private or smoke-free public places.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study using self-administered questionnaires was conducted from March 2019 to July 2019 on 2971 adult tobacco product users. Attitude towards e-cigarettes and/or HTPs, as well as the relative harm perceptions, in association with their practical use in private or smoke-free areas, were also analyzed.

RESULTS

Among those surveyed, 46.8% were exclusive users (CC-only smokers 23.5%, e-cigarette-only users 10.7%, HTP-only users 12.7%), and 47.6% were poly-users. Compared with non-e-cigarette or non-HTP users, current e-cigarette or HTP users perceived e-cigarettes or HTPs as less harmful than CCs and they were more acceptable to e-cigarettes or HTPs being used indoors. Their positive attitudes were associated with their more frequent use at home or in their car. Less number of participants supported that the government should regulate e-cigarettes or HTPs in the same way as CCs, their attitude being associated with more frequent use in smoke-free public places.

CONCLUSIONS

E-cigarettes or HTPs users have more positive attitudes toward their tobacco products than non-e-cigarette or non-HTP users. Those with more positive attitudes toward e-cigarettes or HTPs are closely related to their use in smoke-free places.

Changes in smoking habits and behaviors following the introduction and spread of heated tobacco products in Japan and its effect on FEV1 decline: a longitudinal cohort study

Background

Heated tobacco product (HTP) use in Japan has rapidly increased. Despite this rapid spread, little is known about the health effects of HTP use. We conducted a longitudinal cohort study to investigate the change in smoking habits following the spread of HTP use and its effect on forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁) decline.

Methods

Participants consisted of a resident population (n = 2,612; mean age, 67.7 years) with FEV₁ measurement in 2012–2014 and 2018–2019, and a worksite population (n = 722; mean age 49.3 years) without FEV₁ data. Participants were categorized as combustible cigarette-only smokers, HTP-only users, dual users, past smokers, and never smokers. The association between smoking group and the change in smoking consumption over a mean 5.6 years was examined. Differences in annual FEV₁ change between smoking groups were examined in the resident population.

Results

Prevalence of HTP-only and dual users in 2018–2019 was 0.8% and 0.6% in the resident population, and 5.0% and 1.9% in the worksite population, respectively. The overall number of tobacco products smoked/used increased in dual users compared to baseline, but not in others. Annual FEV₁ decline in dual users tended to be greater than that in cigarette-only smokers (16; 95% confidence interval, −34 to 2 mL/year after full adjustment). Participants switching to HTP-only use 1.7 years before had a similar FEV₁ decline as cigarette-only smokers.

Conclusions

HTP use, including dual use, is prevalent even in a rural region of Japan. Dual users appear to smoke/use tobacco products more and have a greater FEV₁ decline. Tobacco policy should consider dual use as high-risk.