Mid-infrared light reduces the nicotine content and detoxifies bidis for safer smoking

Abstract

Abstract Tobacco use is dangerous to health and the environment. Despite the numerous measures taken to combat the adverse effects of tobacco, fruitful results are yet to be achieved. Nicotine is the primary psychoactive (and highly addictive) chemical component in tobacco. This study aimed to lower the nicotine content and detoxify bidis (a more harmful tobacco product compared to cigarettes). We subjected the bidi packets to 2–6 µm mid-infrared (mid-IR) light generated by a specially designed pocket-sized atomizer. The smoke from such mid-IR-treated bidis blown over animate and inanimate objects was non-irritating and harmless. Spectroscopic studies revealed that the applied 2–6 µm mid-IR exerted molecular-level changes and resulted in chemical compound transformations, thus lowering the nicotine content in the bidis. Trials with smokers demonstrated that the mid-IR-treated bidis were more desirable to smoke and also retained smoking pleasure and satiety. Thus, the 2–6 µm mid-IR light can detoxify the bidis and represents a safer way for smoking than attempting complete cessation, which is highly challenging for smokers.