Effects of different cigarette smoke yields on puffing and inhalation: is the measurement of inhalation volumes relevant for smoke absorption?

Puffing patterns (number of puffs, puff volume, puff duration, puff interval, peak pressure, peak flow, peak latency), respiratory smoke inhalation (postpuff inspiratory latency, volume and time and postpuff expiratory volume and time), and the pre- to postsmoking boost of tidal air CO concentration were analyzed in 117 regular smokers. They smoked both a cigarette of the habitual brand and a second cigarette of a brand with about 40 to 50% lower machine standard smoke yields and the most similar taste quality. The pre- to postsmoking CO boost remained unrelated to the smoke deliveries of the cigarettes in both comparisons (interindividual and switching). Estimated mouth intake of nicotine was strongly dependent on the smoke yield variables of the cigarettes but remained uncorrelated with CO absorption. The discrepancy between mouth smoke intake and alveolar smoke absorption could not be explained by the volumes or durations of the postpuff respiratory cycle. Multiple regression analyses suggested differential modes of control for the daily number of cigarettes smoked, for the patterns of puffing, for respiratory inhalation, and finally for alveolar CO absorption. The results are discussed in relation to the dynamics of puffing and inhalation and their possible relevance for tobacco-related diseases.