CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
Nicotine sticks for use in heated tobacco product devices: Marketing, content, emissions and regulatory approaches
1
National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, thehe Netherlands
Tob. Prev. Cessation 2026;12(Supplement 1):A16
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND-AIM:
Nicotine heatsticks without tobacco have become available in many markets worldwide, and their sales are growing rapidly. These sticks closely resemble tobacco heatsticks and are used with the same heating devices. They typically contain nicotine, flavorings, humectants, and carrier materials such as cellulose or tea leaves. When heated, they release nicotine and flavorings, which are inhaled by the user. As nicotine is harmful to health, the Dutch government aims to introduce product standards, such as a maximum limit on the amount of nicotine they are allowed to release. This study assessed whether levels of nicotine and its structural analogue 6-methylnicotine (6-MN) in nicotine stick emissions exceed health based advisory values. 6-MN has previously been used in the Netherlands as a replacement for nicotine in oral nicotine pouches.
METHODS:
Advisory values for both local and systemic health effects have been derived for nicotine and 6 MN in nicotine stick emissions. Below these values, no health effects related to nicotine or 6-MN are to be expected for their users. For laboratory measurement, two variants from two major brands were selected. Sticks were cut open and filler and filter were extracted with a methanol-acetonitrile solution to determine nicotine and 6-MN levels in their content, following WHO TobLabNet SOP 15. Using the corresponding heating devices, emissions were generated with an automated smoking machine protocol based on WHO TobLabNet SOP 01, Intense regime. The stick extracts and emission extracts were analyzed for nicotine and 6-MN according to WHO TobLabNet SOP 16 with GC-MS.
RESULTS:
Sticks are marketed containing nicotine, in carefully designed packages and with several flavors including fruit and menthol. The sticks contained 3.2-3.8 mg nicotine, and their emissions 0.7 1.0 mg nicotine per stick; 6-MN was not found. The advisory values were defined as 0.028 mg nicotine per stick and 0.0030 mg 6-MN per stick. The maximum concentration in emissions without expected adverse effects is 0.07 mg/L of emission for nicotine and 0.025 mg/L of emission for 6-MN.
CONCLUSIONS:
The amount of nicotine in emission of nicotine sticks exceed the advisory values by 18-25 times. These sticks would no longer be allowed when the advisory values are implemented in the Dutch Tobacco and Smoking Products Act. The values will apply to all nicotine products intended for inhalation not covered by the EU Tobacco Products Directive.
Nicotine heatsticks without tobacco have become available in many markets worldwide, and their sales are growing rapidly. These sticks closely resemble tobacco heatsticks and are used with the same heating devices. They typically contain nicotine, flavorings, humectants, and carrier materials such as cellulose or tea leaves. When heated, they release nicotine and flavorings, which are inhaled by the user. As nicotine is harmful to health, the Dutch government aims to introduce product standards, such as a maximum limit on the amount of nicotine they are allowed to release. This study assessed whether levels of nicotine and its structural analogue 6-methylnicotine (6-MN) in nicotine stick emissions exceed health based advisory values. 6-MN has previously been used in the Netherlands as a replacement for nicotine in oral nicotine pouches.
METHODS:
Advisory values for both local and systemic health effects have been derived for nicotine and 6 MN in nicotine stick emissions. Below these values, no health effects related to nicotine or 6-MN are to be expected for their users. For laboratory measurement, two variants from two major brands were selected. Sticks were cut open and filler and filter were extracted with a methanol-acetonitrile solution to determine nicotine and 6-MN levels in their content, following WHO TobLabNet SOP 15. Using the corresponding heating devices, emissions were generated with an automated smoking machine protocol based on WHO TobLabNet SOP 01, Intense regime. The stick extracts and emission extracts were analyzed for nicotine and 6-MN according to WHO TobLabNet SOP 16 with GC-MS.
RESULTS:
Sticks are marketed containing nicotine, in carefully designed packages and with several flavors including fruit and menthol. The sticks contained 3.2-3.8 mg nicotine, and their emissions 0.7 1.0 mg nicotine per stick; 6-MN was not found. The advisory values were defined as 0.028 mg nicotine per stick and 0.0030 mg 6-MN per stick. The maximum concentration in emissions without expected adverse effects is 0.07 mg/L of emission for nicotine and 0.025 mg/L of emission for 6-MN.
CONCLUSIONS:
The amount of nicotine in emission of nicotine sticks exceed the advisory values by 18-25 times. These sticks would no longer be allowed when the advisory values are implemented in the Dutch Tobacco and Smoking Products Act. The values will apply to all nicotine products intended for inhalation not covered by the EU Tobacco Products Directive.
| eISSN: | 2459-3087 |
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