Advanced Inhalation Rituals’ laboratory research on the composition of shisha cloud derived from tobacco containing flavored shisha products was conducted in collaboration with ISO 17025 accredited analytical laboratories in both the European Union and North America.
Laboratory studies of shisha cloud composition required the use of a machine that could be programmed to produce a specific “puffing” profile (i.e., the number of “puffs” drawn, “puff” volume and duration, and the intervals between successive “puffs”). In addition, the machine also employed a standardized heating system, charcoal at a defined distance from the shisha tobacco.
While no laboratory regime could represent all human behaviors, testing was essential to characterize the composition of shisha cloud, thereby allowing comparisons between shisha products and other tobacco product categories.
Iso standards
These parameters, along with others to meet scientific conventions, e.g., reproducibility, standardization of terminology (which may differ from other tobacco products) etc., have been defined by the International Standards Organization (ISO) in Standard 22486:2019 “Water pipe tobacco smoking machine — Definitions and standard conditions”, and Technical Specifications 22487:2019 “Water pipe tobacco — Determination of total collected matter and nicotine using a water pipe tobacco smoking machine”, ISO/TS 22491:2019 “Water pipe tobacco — Determination of carbon monoxide in the vapor phase of water pipe tobacco smoke — NDIR method”, and ISO/TS 22492:2019 “Water pipe tobacco products — Determination of carbon monoxide emission of glowing water pipe charcoal — NDIR method”. 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 Advanced Inhalation Rituals is represented within the ISO Technical Committee (TC) 126 “Tobacco and tobacco related products”, and was involved in the development of these Standards and Technical Specifications.
To generate shisha cloud for analysis, we used the regime described in ISO 22486:2019 using Three Kings Quick Light™ charcoal as the heating source. While not commonly used by consumers in North America or the European Union, it is the most referenced charcoal by third- party researchers investigating the composition of shisha cloud.
Cigarette smoke used for comparison purposes was generated using the Health Canada Intense smoking regime in combination with a University of Kentucky R34F reference cigarette. 5 , 6 TheCORESTA Approved Monitor 9 was used for a visual comparison of cigarette smoke (Total Particulate Matter – TPM) against shisha cloud (Total Collected Matter – TCM). , 7
2 International Standards Organisation (ISO) (2019). ISO/TS 22487:2019 Water pipe tobacco — Determination of total collected matter and nicotine using a water pipe tobacco smoking machine https://www.iso.org/standard/73323.html Last accessed 15th September 2022.
3 International Standards Organisation (ISO) (2019). ISO/TS 22491:2019 Water pipe tobacco — Determination of carbon monoxide in the vapour phase of water pipe tobacco smoke — NDIR method https://www.iso.org/standard/73324.html Last accessed 15th September 2022.
4 International Standards Organisation (ISO) (2019). ISO/TS 22492:2019 Water pipe tobacco products — Determination of carbon monoxide emission of glowing water pipe charcoal — NDIR method. https://www.iso.org/standard/73325.html Last accessed 15th September 2022.
5 St. Helen, G., Jacob III, P., Nardone, N., Benowitz, N. (2018). IQOS: examination of Philip Morris International’s claim of reduced exposure. Tob Control. 27:s30–s36.
6 Eldridge, A. Beston, T.R., Vinicius Gama, M., McAdam, K. (2015). Variation in tobacco and mainstream smoke toxicant yields from selected commercial cigarette products. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology. 71:409-427.
7 CORESTA (2019). CORESTA Approved Monitor No 9 (CM9) Use and Conditions. https://www.coresta.org/sites/default/files/pages/CM9_UseConditions-Feb2019.pdf Last accessed 15 th September 2022.
