Background: BAT has developed the Tobacco Heating Product THP (1.0) which comprises an electrical heating device (glo™ device) and consumable tobacco rods (Neostiks™). A use behaviour study was conducted to demonstrate that consumers use this product in a way that exposes them to reduced levels of the substances from this product compared with a conventional cigarette.

Objectives: The primary objectives of this study were to (1) measure the puffing topography and (2) estimate the mouth level exposure (MLE) to NFDPM, nicotine and menthol to smokers of 7-8 mg (ISO) tar menthol and non-menthol cigarettes in Japan. The secondary objective was to (3) evaluate the potential blocking of the air inlet zone in the tobacco heated consumable (THP) whilst in use by the consumer.

Methodology: A four-arm study was undertaken in Japan to determine the puffing topography, mouth level exposure and average daily consumption by consumers of the tobacco heating product THP (1.0)X variants: the non-mentholated THP (1.0)T and the mentholated THP (1.0)M. The extent of lip blocking of air inlet holes while using THP (1.0)T was also assessed. Arms 1, 2, and 4 included smokers, and arm 3 included regular THP users.

Results: Smokers of 7-8 mg ISO nicotine free dry particulate matter (NFDPM) non-mentholated cigarettes took on average larger mean puff volumes from THP (1.0)T than from conventional cigarettes, but puff numbers and durations were similar. Mouth level exposure to NFDPM and nicotine levels were significantly lower when using THP (1.0)T than conventional cigarettes. Similar trends were observed among smokers of 7-8 mg ISO NFDPM mentholated cigarettes who used mentholated cigarettes and THP (1.0)M. Regular users of THP exhibited similar puffing behaviours as conventional smokers when using THP (1.0)T. None of the smokers blocked the air inlet holes when using THP (1.0)T.