New Weapon Against Tobacco
Tobacco is a difficult enemy to fight. More
weapons are needed in the war against tobacco. Scientists at the
Environmental Cancer Research Program at Northeastern University
(http://www.neu.edu/ecrp)
are building a new weapon against tobacco.
Question. What is the new weapon against tobacco?
Answer. The new weapon is detection technology that discovers
unknown genotoxic (gene-damaging) chemicals.
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Question. How does the new weapon work?
Answer. The detection technology weapon has two stages. In the
first stage, DNA, the composition of genes, is used as bait to
catch genotoxic chemicals. In the second stage, the captured
chemicals are detected and identified in a chemical detection
machine called a mass spectrometer. DNA makes a good bait since
it is an important target in the body for many toxic chemicals
such as those in tobacco smoke. Damage to DNA in the broadest
sense is the basis of all cancer.
Question. What will the new weapon be aimed at?
Answer. The new weapon can be aimed at the genotoxic chemicals
of tobacco at every stage of their action, from the starting
tobacco products to the human tissues that are damaged in
tobacco users and bystanders. This means that tobacco smoke,
chewed tobacco extract, and blood or tissue samples from
tobacco-exposed people can be analyzed for genotoxic tobacco
chemicals with the new weapon.
Question. How will the new weapon fight tobacco?
Answer. Tobacco is harmful because it contains addictive and
toxic chemicals. However, the details of the toxicity are not
fully understood. The detection technology weapon can contribute
new information about the genotoxic chemicals in tobacco
products. The more we know about the toxic chemicals in tobacco,
the better we can fight it. For example, the new information may
be helpful in bringing new regulations and lawsuits, including
personal injury, against the tobacco companies. The new
information may counter a claim by a tobacco company that its
new cigarette or chewing tobacco is safer.
Question. What kind of data does the new detection technology
weapon provide?
Answer. Below is an example of data provided by the detection
technology weapon. The vertical lines in the upper part of (A)
of the figure come from genotoxic chemicals in cigarette smoke.
This is the first time that cigarette smoke has been imaged in
this way. The lower part (B) of the figure confirms the
specificity of the detection technology weapon.
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