# Impact of sugars on tobacco product toxicity and abuse liability

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA · 2021 · $431,405

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Sugars, which are present naturally in some tobacco types and are also added to cigarette tobacco filler as
additives, are not included in the FDA list of harmful and potentially harmful constituents (HPHC). Existing
research data suggests that sugars in tobacco filler may contribute to the harmful properties of cigarettes in
three critical ways: by enhancing smoke palatability and appeal and, as precursors to aldehydes and furans in
the smoke, by increasing smoke toxicity and carcinogenicity and potentially addictiveness. Therefore, sugars
are potentially the most versatile key constituents contributing to the smoking-associated morbidity and
mortality. However, there is lack of robust quantitative data on the relationship between tobacco sugar content
and relevant toxicant yields in U.S. commercial cigarettes, and the associated user exposures, behaviors, and
cigarette appeal. In this study, we will leverage our combined expertise in tobacco chemistry, epidemiology,
and human trials assessing biomarkers and behavioral and subjective measures, to address these key
knowledge gaps. In Aim 1, we will use stable isotope-labeled sugars added to a commercial cigarette that is
low in sugars and will analyze the dose-dependent formation of correspondingly labeled pyrolysis products in
the smoke of this cigarette. to characterize the impact of sugars in the filler of U.S. cigarettes on the relevant
chemical profile of cigarette smoke. We will also analyze the impact of sugar content on the levels of nicotine
and tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNA) in the smoke. In Aim 2, we will analyze sugars in U.S. commercial
cigarettes and use PATH biomarker data to investigate the impact of sugar content in cigarette tobacco on
toxicant and carcinogen intake in U.S. smokers. In Aim 3, we will investigate the impact of sugar content in
cigarette tobacco on cigarette abuse liability and appeal by conducting a laboratory study in which smokers will
assess study cigarettes with differing levels of sugars in a laboratory setting. The overall goal of this proposal is
to provide the FDA with the scientific basis to determine whether sugars should be added to HPHC list and
whether their levels in tobacco products should be regulated.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10165683
- **Project number:** 5R01DA051005-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
- **Principal Investigator:** DOROTHY K HATSUKAMI
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $431,405
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-06-01 → 2023-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10165683

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10165683, Impact of sugars on tobacco product toxicity and abuse liability (5R01DA051005-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10165683. Licensed CC0.

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