Cigarettes and tobacco products are consumed in large amounts by human beings in the world. Also, tobacco is one of the most important agricultural products in Turkey. The accumulation of heavy metals in tobacco leaves in accordance with a possible risk of transferring them to people by smoke is well known. This study was carried out to estimate trace metal and mineral levels in tobacco and cigarettes from Eastern and South-eastern Anatolia, Turkey. The analysis was done by flame atomic absorption spectrometry using dry ashing or wet digestion. Results obtained are in agreement with data reported in the literature.


ABDULKADIR LEVENT, YAVUZ YARDIM AND CENGIZ DEMIR