Tobacco products remain a uniquely harmful and addictive consumer products, and among the leading causes of death. For many decades, most of the evidence on product design and the implications for consumer patterns of use and health effects was produced and concealed by tobacco companies. Much of this evidence has been released in millions of “internal” documents through court disclosure requirements in various legal proceedings. Our research includes reviews of previously secret tobacco industry documents in the area of smoking behaviour and the phenomenon of “compensation” for ostensibly “lower tar” cigarettes, and Canadian documents on the health effects of smoking that were intentionally destroyed to conceal evidence from the public.
We have also conducted research examining the contents and emissions from commercial cigarettes, behavioural patterns of use, and biomarkers of exposure to toxic constituents among consumers. This research includes a wide range of products, including conventional cigarettes, low/reduced nicotine content cigarettes, and various types of cigarette filters, as well as more recently marketed products, including ‘heated’ tobacco products and e-cigarettes.
Recent papers on tobacco product science
Nicotine content, labelling, and flavours of e-cigarettes in Canada in 2020: a scan of the online retail market.
D’Mello K, Hammond D, Mahamad S, Wiggers, D, East K. Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention in Canada 2022; 42(1): 4-11.
Characterization of vaping liquids used in vaping devices across four countries: Results from an analysis of selected vaping liquids reported by users in the 2016 ITC Four Country Smoking and Vaping Survey.
Fix BV, Leigh NJ, Palumbo M, Hitchma SC, Nahhas GJ, King B, Hammond D, McNeill A, Cummings KM, Borland R, Fong GT, O’Connor RJ, Goniewicz
Perceived relative harm of heated tobacco products (IQOS), e-cigarettes, and cigarettes among adults in Canada: Findings from the ITC Project.
Sutanto E, Miller C, Smith DM, O’Connor RJ, Gravely S, Hammond D, Hyland A, Cummings KM, Quah ACK, Fong GT, Agar TK, Goniewicz ML. Tobacco
Awareness and interest in IQOS heated tobacco products among youth in Canada, England & the United States.
Czoli CD, White CM, Reid JL, O’Connor RJ, Hammond D. Tobacco Control 2020; 29: 89-95.
Identification of flavouring chemicals and potential toxicants in e-cigarette products in Ontario, Canada.
Czoli C, Goniewicz M, Palumbo M, Leigh N, White CM, Hammond D. Canadian Journal of Public Health 2019; 110(5): 542-550.
Biomarkers of exposure among “dual” users of tobacco cigarettes and electronic cigarettes in Canada.
Czoli C, Fong GT, Goniewicz M, Hammond D. Nicotine & Tobacco Research 2019; 21(9): 1259–1266.
Carcinogen exposure among Canadian tobacco users: Changes in NNK exposure from 2007-09 through 2012-13.
Czoli C, Hammond D. Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention 2018; 27(3): 262-267.
Does adding information on toxic constituents to cigarette pack warnings increase smokers’ perceptions about the health risks of smoking? A longitudinal study in Australia, Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Cho YJ, Thrasher JF, Swayampakala K, Lipkus I, Hammond D, Cummings KM, Borland R, Yong H, Hardin J. Health Education and Behaviour 2018; 45(1): 32-42.
Cigarette package color is associated with level of filter ventilation.
O’Connor RJ, Hammond D. Tobacco Control 2018; 27(3): 337-338.
Trends over time in tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs) in whole tobacco and smoke emissions from cigarettes sold in Canada.
Czoli C, Hammond D. Nicotine & Tobacco Research 2018; 20(5): 649-653.
