Title: Nicotine in thirdhand smoke residue predicts relapse from smoking cessation: A pilot study.

Authors: Matt, Georg E; Mahabee-Gittens, E Melinda; Zakarian, Joy M; Quintana, Penelope J E; Hoh, Eunha; Myers, Mark

Published In Addict Behav, (2019 11)

Abstract: Thirdhand smoke (THS) residue lingers for months in homes of former smokers and may play a role in relapse after smoking cessation. This study examined the association between THS pollution as measured by the level of nicotine in house dust and continued abstinence from smoking.Participants were 65 cigarette smokers who reported they were enrolled in any type of smoking cessation program, had set a specific date to quit, and had biochemical verification of continuous abstinence at 1-week (W1), 1-month (M1), 3-months (M3), or 6-months (M6) after their quit date. House dust samples collected at baseline before quitting were analyzed for nicotine concentration (μg/g) and nicotine loading (μg/m2) using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).Controlling for age, gender, overall and indoor smoking rates, and years lived in their home, dust nicotine concentration and loading predicted abstinence at W1, M1, M3, and M6. A 10-fold increase in dust nicotine loading and concentration were associated with approximately 50% lower odds of remaining abstinent.Findings suggest nicotine in house dust may play a role in facilitating relapse after smoking cessation. Additional research is warranted to investigate the causal role of THS residue in homes of former smokers on cravings and continued abstinence.

PubMed ID: 31330468

MeSH Terms: Adult; Air Pollution, Indoor/adverse effects*; Air Pollution, Indoor/analysis*; California; Chromatography, Liquid; Dust/analysis*; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nicotine/adverse effects*; Pilot Projects; Recurrence; Smoking Cessation*; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Tobacco Smoke Pollution/adverse effects*; Tobacco Smoke Pollution/analysis