The generation of carbon monoxide and carbonyl compounds in reconstituted tobacco sheet

In recent years, reconstituted tobacco sheet (RTs) has played an increasingly significant role in tobacco industry. The yields of CO and carbonyl compounds (formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acetone, acrolein, propanal, butenal, 2-butanone, and butyraldehyde) in cigarette mainstream smoke of RTs and their formation mechanisms were investigated in this paper. Self-made RTs (SRTs) was studied and compared with foreign Mauduit RTs (MRTs) and three commercial tobacco leaves on routine chemical constituents, thermal behavior, and subsequent gaseous products evolution. The cigarette smoking results illustrated that the yields of CO (2.9 mg per puff) and carbonyl compounds (about 208 μg per puff) in mainstream smoke of SRTs and MRTs were at the same level, and obviously higher than those of three commercial tobacco leaves. The routine chemical constituent results demonstrated that bright tobacco and oriental tobacco contained particularly higher contents of reducing sugar and total sugar than RTs, while burley tobacco had a high content of nitrogen compounds. The thermal behavior results showed that SRTs (11.6 % min^?1) and MRTs (14.5 % min^?1) presented higher maximum mass-loss rate than bright tobacco (7.8 % min^?1), burley tobacco (7.1 % min^?1), and oriental tobacco (6.8 % min^?1). The thermal decomposition of saccharides and combustion of residual char played the most important roles in mass-loss and gaseous products formation. The decomposition of saccharides and incomplete combustion of carbonized residual char primarily contributed to the formation of CO, while carbonyl compounds evolution was mainly attributed to the decomposition of saccharides alone.     

Starker Tobak

The active ingredient of tobacco, nicotine, is originally biosynthesized by plants as a protection against pests. Nicotine survives the harsh conditions in a burning cigarette and binds to certain acetylcholine receptors in the smoker's nerve system within seconds after the first puff. It is the nicotine that makes smoking so extremely addictive. On the other side, the majority of tobacco‐related diseases are not caused by nicotine but by other smoke components. Therefore smoke‐free products like electronic cigarettes have been developed that potentially pose less risk. It is now up to the individual smoker to make an informed choice between different nicotine delivery products and/or smoking at all.     

Activity concentration of polonium-210 and lead-210 in tobacco products and annual committed effective dose to tobacco users in Tiruchirappalli District (Tamil Nadu,India)

The present study has carried out with an objective of determining the activity concentrations of two radionuclides namely polonium-210 (²¹⁰Po) and lead-210 (²¹⁰Pb) in smoke tobacco products (cigarette, bidi and cigar) and smokeless tobacco products (chewing tobacco and snuff) consumed in Tiruchirappalli District, Tamil Nadu (India) and their annual committed effective dose to tobacco consumers. The concentration of ²¹⁰Po was always higher than that of ²¹⁰Pb in all the analyzed tobacco products. It also revealed that 79% of Annual committed effective dose comes from ²¹⁰Po and about 21% from ²¹⁰Pb. Maximum concentration (13.2 mBq g^?1) of ²¹⁰Po recorded in cigarette and lowest concentration was observed in snuff (6.4 mBq g^?1). The highest mean committed effective dose of ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb in various tobacco products were found in cigarette followed by bidi, cigar, chewing tobacco and snuff. The study revealed that the tobacco products available in Tiruchirappalli District contain a relatively lower concentration of radionuclides when compared to other regional studies. Since this kind of study in India is fragmentary, the present study has generated a base data for the first time for entire Tiruchirappalli District.

     

Effect of exogenous softwood on thermal decomposition of reconstituted tobacco sheet

In recent years, reconstituted tobacco sheet (RTS) has played an increasingly vital role in reducing tumorigenicity for tobacco industry. In this paper, two plant fibers of tobacco pulp (TP) and softwood pulp (SP) were added independently as strengthening agents during the paper-making process to manufacture RTS (TP-RTS and SP-RTS). The effects of exogenous SP on the CO yield in cigarette mainstream smoke, thermal behavior, and gaseous products evolution properties of RTS were evaluated and compared with TP. The CO yield in cigarette mainstream smoke was studied using smoking machine and CO analyzer. The thermal behavior of two RTS was studied by thermogravimetric (TG) analysis, and the gaseous products were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR). CO yield in cigarette mainstream smoke results demonstrated that SP-RTS (3.16 mg per puff) presented higher CO yield per puff than TP-RTS (2.83 mg per puff). TG analysis results demonstrated that the maximum mass loss rate of SP-RTS (23.3 % min^?1) was drastically higher than that of TP-RTS (15.8 % min^?1). FTIR results illustrated that SP-RTS presented stronger absorbance intensity associated with generation of more gaseous products than TP-RTS. In the thermal decomposition stage, the maximum mass loss rate of SP (78.6 % min^?1) was clearly higher than that of TP (38.4 % min^?1), and SP increased the generation of gaseous products compared to TP.     

Evaluation of serum metal profile in relation to biri smoking using ICP-MS

The metals intake through tobacco smoking is associated with adverse effects for human health. The present study was aimed to understand the effects of biri smoking on smoker’s serum metal profile. Seven metals, cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn), were analysed in serum samples of 20 biri smokers and 20 non-smokers from North India. The Cd, Ni, Pb, Cr and Cu concentrations were higher while Fe and Zn concentrations were lower in smokers compared to non-smokers. The Fe concentrations, the highest among all metals, seemed to be unassociated with the smoking activity. This study indicated that biri smoking is a contributor to the body burden of Cd, Ni, Cu and Cr in the smoker’s body. The Cd, Ni, Cu and Fe concentrations are non-significantly associated with the age of smokers at p < 0.01 significance level, whereas Pb and Cr concentrations increase and Zn concentrations decrease with the increase in the age of smokers. Serum metal concentrations in the smoker subjects of North India are higher compared to the results of other similar studies. This could be linked to the poor quality of tobacco used in biri. We recommend conducting more detailed and controlled studies in this regard as a smoker is also subjected to other sources of exposure to metals.     

Determination of rare earth and other elements in algae by ICP-MS and neutron activation analysis

Several rare earth elements (REEs) and other elements in algae were investigated by ICP-MS and INAA. Algae materials were supplied from an IAEA Intercomparison Study:Chlorella vulg. grown under reduced levels of toxic elements (IAEA-391) and IAEA-393 algae was grown in a medium to which certain toxic elements were added. 34–691 mg of algae samples were dissolved in conc, nitric acid using a microwave sampleppreparation system. REEs could be detected in the order of magnitude of 10⁻³ ng/g by ICP-MS. Activation analysis failed to detect any REEs because of a strong interference due mainly to²⁴Na and³²P. The distriubtion patterns of these REEs in algae slightly differed from those ofCarya sp. and tobacco leaves, and differed significantly from that of fern leaves. The distribution pattern was rather similar to that found in the North American shale composite (NASC).     

Effects of common ammonium salt on the thermal behavior of reconstituted tobacco sheet

Understanding the role of chemical burn additives on modifying the toxic gaseous constituents and thermal behavior of reconstituted tobacco sheet (RTS) has recently taken center stage through a number of initiatives. In this current study, the effects of ammonium chloride (AC), ammonium sulfate, diammonium phosphate, and monoammonium phosphate on the formation of evolved gaseous products, specifically carbonyl compounds and thermal behavior were investigated. Results on cigarette smoking tests revealed that ammonium salt was a potential burn additive to reduce carbonyl compounds delivery in the cigarette mainstream smoke of RTS. The yield per puff of carbonyl compounds of pure RTS was decreased from 247.8 µg to 133.30 µg with the incorporation of AC. Thermogravimetric analysis (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were used to investigate the thermal decomposition of RTS. TG results revealed that the incorporation of ammonium salt into RTS could improve the thermal stability of RTS. The DSC results showed that the maximum exothermic peak was drastically decreased with the addition of ammonium salt, for example, from 14.8 mW mg^?1 of pure RTS to 10.27 mW mg^?1 of AC-RTS. Results on Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) which was employed to investigate the generation of evolved volatile products showed that these four ammonium salts as burn additives were efficiently high enough to decrease the formation of gaseous products. From our findings, compared with the virgin RTS and other three modified RTS, AC-RTS could significantly decrease the yields of nicotine and phenolic compounds in the cigarette mainstream smoke of RTS.     

Monitoring of the smoking process by multicommutation Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

Nicotine was selected as the target molecule for monitoring of the smoking process by multicommutation Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The method involved the use of CHCl₃ for on-line extraction of nicotine from tobacco, cigarette filters and tobacco ash from NH₄OH alkalinized samples, and absorbance measurement of the characteristic band at 1316 cm⁻¹ in the stopped-flow mode, by obtaining the peak area in the range between 1334 and 1300 cm⁻¹. Under the best operational conditions, the procedure developed provided a detection limit of 0.05 mg mL⁻¹ nicotine, corresponding to 0.5 mg g⁻¹ in the solid sample, a relative standard deviation less than 2.5%, and a sampling frequency of 12 determinations h⁻¹. It can be concluded that nicotine migrates in the smoke mainstream towards the filter during the smoking process. The smoking of cigarettes and cigars is different. Nicotine is retained weakly by both tobacco and filter in the case of cigarettes, and strongly by the unburned tobacco in cigars. The incomplete smoking of cigars and cigarettes reduces nicotine intake and thus reduces the additive effect.     

Determination of 210Po content of vietnamese tobacco samples

Smoking is one of the leading causes of preventable death. In recent years, numerous countries have initiated the prohibition of smoking in restaurants, workplaces and public spaces. The Vietnamese government intends to follow the precautions against public smoking as well. Over and above the number of some hazardous chemical components found in tobacco, ²¹⁰Po isotope content could enhance the probability of the development of lung cancer. In this study 14 Vietnamese tobacco products (commercial cigarettes and pipe tobacco) ²¹⁰Po activity concentration were determined using PIPS semiconductor alpha spectrometry. The results showed that the 210Po activity concentration of the investigated samples varied between 7.40 ± 1.09–128.64 ± 11.22 mBq g^?1. The average ²¹⁰Po content of commercial cigarettes was 15.5 mBq g^?1, whilst the average of pipe tobacco was 20.4 mBq g^?1. To estimate the risk of inhalation of ²¹⁰Po isotopes originating as a result of smoking, dose estimations were carried out.     

Efficiency of an in-line charcoal filter in automated chemistry process control unit during the synthesis of18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)

¹⁸F fluoride ion is produced by bombarding¹⁸O enriched water using an 11 MeV negative ion Radioisotope Delivery System (RDS-112) cyclotron by¹⁸O(p,n)¹⁸F reaction. During the synthesis of¹⁸F-FDG, a gaseous effluent containing¹⁸F is released. To quantitate the loss of¹⁸F during the synthesis, the¹⁸F activity at the end of bombardment delivered to chemical process control unit (CPCU), the amount of¹⁸F-FDG produced, the residual activity in CPCU, the activity trapped in charcoal filter, reaction vessels, cartridge and resin column were measured. A dose calibrator was used to assay total¹⁸F delivered to the CPCU and FDG produced. All other measurements were with a calibrated ionization chamber in a fixed geometry. The amount of gaseous¹⁸F released was calculated. For routine productions, conversion of¹⁸F into FDG was 46.0±4.0%. In six production runs without a charcoal filter, the mean gaseous release of¹⁸F was 10.6±1.0%. With an activated charcoal filter retrofitted to the exhaust of the CPCU, then mean gaseous¹⁸F activity released was 1.2±1.2%. The residual activity in the synthesis unit was 12.9±3.5%. The remaining activity i.e. 33.1±4.2%, was in the reaction vessels, cartridges and in the resin column. The efficiency of a charcoal filter for trapping¹⁸F gaseous effluent during synthesis was found to be >99.0%.     

Determination of some toxic trace elements in Indian tobacco and its smoke

Toxic trace metals like mercury, arsenic and cadmium have been determined in widely used Indian chewing tobacco and cigarette tobacco by neutron activation followed by sequential radiochemical separation (RNAA). Differential Pulse Anodic Stripping Voltammetry (DPASV) has been used for the estimation of lead, cadmium and copper in cigarette tobacco and its smoke aerosols. The reliability of the data has been assured by analyzing standard reference materials, bovine liver (NBS-1577) and orchard leaves (NBS-1571), and intercomparison of the Pb, Cd and Cu values by three techniques, namely, RNAA, DPASV and Energy Dispersive X-ray Flourescence technique (EDXRF). The levels of Hg, Cd, As, Pb and Cu in cigarette and chewing tobacco and the estimated intake of Cd, Cu and Pb to the smoker are presented and discussed.     

Dissipation and residue fate of kresoxim-methyl in tobacco leaves and soil under field conditions

The fate of kresoxim-methyl was studied in a tobacco field ecosystem, and a simple and reliable method was developed for the determination of kresoxim-methyl in soil, green and cured tobacco leaves. Kresoxim-methyl residues were extracted from samples with petroleum ether, and determined by gas chromatography (GC) coupled with an electron capture detector (ECD). Kresoxim-methyl (30% suspension concentration) was applied at 150 g a.i. ha^–1 (the recommended high dosage) and 225 g a.i. ha^–1 (1.5 times the recommended high dosage) in the experimental fields in Huishui and Changsha in China. The limits of detection (LODs) and limits of quantification (LOQs) of kresoxim-methyl in green tobacco leaves, cured tobacco leaves and soil were 0.012 and 0.04 mg kg^–1, 0.12 and 0.4 mg kg^–1, and 0.0015 and 0.005 mg kg^–1, respectively. The average recoveries were 84.5% to 95.7%, 79.8% to 94.3% and 83.3% to 93.8% with relative standard deviations (RSDs) less than 10% in green tobacco leaves at four spiked levels (0.04, 0.2, 2 and 8 mg kg^–1), cured tobacco leaves at three spiked levels (0.4, 1 and 10 mg kg^–1) and soil at three spiked levels (0.005, 0.05 and 0.5 mg kg^–1), respectively. The results showed that the half-lives of kresoxim-methyl in green tobacco leaves and soil were 1.2–5.3 days and 6.7–10.4 days, respectively. At harvest, kresoxim-methyl residues in cured tobacco leaves samples collected 21 days after the last application at the recommended dosage were below 1.0 mg kg^–1. These results could help establish appropriate application frequency and harvest intervals in the use of kresoxim-methyl on tobacco plants.     

液相色谱法分析烟叶酸性洗涤纤维素的碱性氧化铜降解产物

应用石油醚-乙醇(6 : 4, v/v)、30 g/L十二烷基硫酸钠溶液以及含20 g/L十六烷基三甲基溴化铵的0.5 mol/L硫酸溶液依次处理烟叶样品,制备得到烟叶酸性洗涤纤维素(ADF)。采用碱性氧化铜氧化降解方法制备得到ADF降解产物。以Ultimate XB C18色谱柱为固定相,甲醇和水为流动相,梯度洗脱,在柱温35 ℃、流速0.8 mL/min、检测波长280 nm和320 nm条件下,对6种烟叶样品的ADF降解产物进行了液相色谱分离,得到4个特征色谱峰。以这4个特征色谱峰为考察对象,可研究不同烟叶木质素组成的差异及其与烟叶吸味品质的关系。     

Rapid and sensitive HPLC–MS/MS method for the quantification of dopamine,GABA, serotonin,glutamine and glutamate in rat brain regions after exposure to tobacco cigarettes

Tobacco smoking is a preventable main cause of fatal diseases. Accurate measurements of the effects it has on neurotransmitters are essential in developing new strategies for smoking cessation. Moreover, measurements of neurotransmitter levels can aid in developing drugs that counteract the effects of smoking. The aim of this study is to develop and validate a fast, simultaneous and sensitive method for measuring the levels of neurotransmitters in rat brain after the exposure of tobacco cigarettes. The selected neurotransmitters include dopamine, GABA, serotonin, glutamine and glutamate. The method is based on high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Chromatographic separation was achieved within 3 min using a Zorbax SB C₁₈ column (3.0 × 100 mm, 1.8 μm particle size). The mobile phase consisted of HPLC-grade water and acetonitrile each containing 0.3% heptafluorobutyric acid and 0.5% formic acid at gradient conditions. The linear range was 0.015–0.07, 825–7,218, 140–520, 63.42–160.75 and 38.25 × 10³ to 110.35 × 10³ ng/ml for dopamine, GABA, serotonin, glutamine and glutamate, respectively. Inter- and intra-run accuracy were in the range 97.82–103.37% with a precision (CV%) of ≤0.90%. The results revealed that 4 weeks of cigarette exposure significantly increased neurotransmitter levels after exposure to tobacco cigarettes in various brain regions, including the hippocampus and the amygdala. This increase in neurotransmitters levels may in turn activate the nicotine dependence pathway.     

Dissipation dynamics and final residues of flutriafol in tobacco and soil using ultrasound-assisted extraction before liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

The dissipation dynamics and final residues of flutriafol on tobacco plant and soil were studied under field conditions. The residues of flutriafol in soil, green tobacco leaves and cured tobacco leaves were extracted by ultrasound-assisted extraction, cleaned up by dispersive solid-phase extraction and detected by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. The limits of detection of flutriafol in soil, green tobacco leaves and cured tobacco leaves were 0.006, 0.033 and 0.033 mg·kg^?1, respectively. The limits of quantification of flutriafol in soil, green tobacco leaves and cured tobacco leaves were 0.02, 0.1 and 0.1 mg·kg^?1, respectively. Recoveries were 72.9–102% with relative standard deviations of less than 12% in soil and tobacco matrix. For field experiments, the half-lives of flutriafol in soil and green tobacco leaves were 9.2–11.5 and 9.5–11.1 days, respectively. At harvest, the final residue levels of flutriafol in cured tobacco leaves collected 21 days after one application at the recommended dosage were below 2.0 mg/kg. The maximum residue limit maximum residue limit (MRL) for flutriafol in tobacco has not yet been established in any countries. The data could help the Chinese Government to establish the MRL of flutriafol in tobacco and provide guidance on the proper use of flutriafol.     

Determination of environmental actinide nuclides and210Pb(210Po) by low-energy photon spectrometry with alpha-spectrometry

Low-energy photon spectrometry with -spectrometry was used to determine the environmental concentrations of low-level actinides and other nuclides, especially²¹⁰Pb and²¹⁰Po. The isotopic ratio of²⁴⁰Pu/²³⁹Pu was successfully determined by measuring L_x-ray/-ray counting ratio. A reliable method has been developed for the determination of extremely low-level²³⁷Np global fallout in environmental samples. The non-destructive determination by Ge-LEPS for natural²¹⁰Pb in various samples (tobacco leaves, commercially available tobacco, etc.) was also carried out with the determination of²¹⁰Po by -spectrometry using²⁰⁹Po as a yield tracer.     

Chemical Studies on Tobacco Smoke. LXI. Volatile Pyridines: Quantitative Analysis in Mainstream and Sidestream Smoke of Cigarettes and Cigars

Abstract

A quantitative analytical method has been developed for volatile pyridines in tobacco smoke using pyridine- ¹⁴C as an internal standard. Mainstream and sidestream smoke are trapped in 0.05 N sulfuric acid anti partitioned with chloroform. The acidic portion is then concentrated, adjusted to pH 3 and extracted with chloroform. Methanol and a trace of 2N sulfuric acid are added to this chloroform portion and the mixture is carefully concentrated.

A trace of sodium hydroxide is added and the final concentrate is analyzed by gas chromatography. Twenty-one volatile pyridines have been identified. The mainstream stroke of a popular. 85-mm U.S. cigarette without filter tip contained the following major pyridines: 33.4 μg pyridine, 12.3 μg α-picoline, 24.2 μg. β+γ-picoline, 7.6 μg 3-ethylpgridine, 5.9 μg: 4-ethylpyridine, and 23.3 μg 3,4-lutidine + 3-vinylpyridine. The sidestream smoke of this cigarette contained up to 28 times higher concentrations of pyridines.

Volatile pyridines were also determined in the mainstream smoke of other non-filter cigarettes, filter cigarettes, little cigars and, a non-tobacco cigarette. Of special interest were the much greater quantities of volatile pyridines in the mainstream and sidestream of cigars in comparison to those of cigarettes. The ratio of pyridines in sidestream to those in mainstream was 5 to 50 in large cigars. Selective filtration was observed with both cellulose acetate and charcoal filter tips. The analytical method resulted in reproducible values for pyridine, with an average recovery rate of more than 90%. In addition to pyridines, two pyrazines were also isolated from the smoke. Processed tobacco contained minute amounts of some volatile pyridines.     

Molecularly imprinted polymers on a silica surface for the adsorption of tobacco‐specific nitrosamines in mainstream cigarette smoke

Tobacco‐specific nitrosamines are one of the most important groups of carcinogens in tobacco products. Using adsorbents as filter additives is an effective way to reduce tobacco‐specific nitrosamines in cigarette smoke. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) using nicotinamide as template were grafted on the silica gel surface to obtain MIP@SiO₂ and employed as filter additives to absorb tobacco‐specific nitrosamines in mainstream cigarette smoke. Four milligrams of MIP@SiO₂ per cigarette was added to the interface between filter and tobacco rod to prepare a binary filter system. The mainstream smoke was collected on an industry‐standard Cambridge filter pad and extracted with ammonium acetate aqueous solution before analysis. Compared to the cigarette smoke of the control group, the levels of tobacco‐specific nitrosamines with silica gel and with MIP@SiO₂ were both reduced, and the adsorption rates of N‐nitrosonornicotine, N‐nitrosoanabasine, N‐nitrosoanatabine, and 4‐(methylnitrosamino)‐1‐(3‐pyridine)‐1‐butanone with silica gel and with MIP@SiO₂ were 20.76, 15.32, 18.79, and 18.01%, and 41.33, 34.04, 37.86, and 35.53%, respectively. Furthermore the content of total particle materials in cigarette smoke with silica gel was decreased evidently but showed no observable change with MIP@SiO₂. It indicated MIP@SiO₂ could selectively reduce tobacco‐specific nitrosamines in the mainstream cigarette smoke with no change to the cigarette flavor.     

Molecular Cloning and Characteristic Features of a Novel Extracellular Tyrosinase from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aspergillus niger</Emphasis> PA2

Biofertilizers have been widely used in many countries for their benefit to soil biological and physicochemical properties. A new microbial biofertilizer containing Phanerochaete chrysosporium and Bacillus thuringiensis was prepared to decrease nicotine content in tobacco leaves by regulating soil nitrogen supply. Soil NO₃ ^?-N, NH₄ ⁺-N, nitrogen supply-related enzyme activities, and nitrogen accumulation in plant leaves throughout the growing period were investigated to explore the mechanism of nicotine reduction. The experimental results indicated that biofertilizer can reduce the nicotine content in tobacco leaves, with a maximum decrement of 16–18 % in mature upper leaves. In the meantime, the total nitrogen in mature lower and middle leaves increased with the application of biofertilizer, while an opposite result was observed in upper leaves. Protein concentration in leaves had similar fluctuation to that of total nitrogen in response to biofertilizer. NO₃ ^?-N content and nitrate reductase activity in biofertilizer-amended soil increased by 92.3 and 42.2 %, respectively, compared to those in the control, whereas the NH₄ ⁺-N and urease activity decreased by 37.8 and 29.3 %, respectively. Nitrogen uptake was improved in the early growing stage, but this phenomenon was not observed during the late growth period. Nicotine decrease is attributing to the adjustment of biofertilizer in soil nitrogen supply and its uptake in tobacco, which result in changes of nitrogen content as well as its distribution in tobacco leaves. The application of biofertilizer containing P. chrysosporium and B. thuringiensis can reduce the nicotine content and improve tobacco quality, which may provide some useful information for tobacco cultivation.     

Pyrolysis and combustion of tobacco in a cigarette smoking simulator under air and nitrogen atmosphere

A coupling between a cigarette smoking simulator and a time-of-flight mass spectrometer was constructed to allow investigation of tobacco smoke formation under simulated burning conditions. The cigarette smoking simulator is designed to burn a sample in close approximation to the conditions experienced by a lit cigarette. The apparatus also permits conditions outside those of normal cigarette burning to be investigated for mechanistic understanding purposes. It allows control of parameters such as smouldering and puff temperatures, as well as combustion rate and puffing volume. In this study, the system enabled examination of the effects of “smoking” a cigarette under a nitrogen atmosphere. Time-of-flight mass spectrometry combined with a soft ionisation technique is expedient to analyse complex mixtures such as tobacco smoke with a high time resolution. The objective of the study was to separate pyrolysis from combustion processes to reveal the formation mechanism of several selected toxicants. A purposely designed adapter, with no measurable dead volume or memory effects, enables the analysis of pyrolysis and combustion gases from tobacco and tobacco products (e.g. 3R4F reference cigarette) with minimum aging. The combined system demonstrates clear distinctions between smoke composition found under air and nitrogen smoking atmospheres based on the corresponding mass spectra and visualisations using principal component analysis.