Investigating the Microbial Contamination of Unpackaged Cigarettes (Bulk) in Bandar Abbas City, Iran

Background: Cigarette contamination due to contact with contaminated hands is one of theproblems of bulk cigarette distribution. This study was conducted to investigate the microbialcontamination of unpackaged cigarettes in Bandar Abbas City, Iran.Materials and Methods: This study was conducted among various distributors of bulkcigarettes (peddlers, stalls, and supermarkets) in Bandar Abbas City. Cigarette samples weredried, and the microbial quality of their filter was evaluated by Ultersnap U microbial loadmeasuring device. To express the index of microbial contamination, based on the defined scaleof the device, RLUs (relative light units) ≤۱۰ indicate cleanliness, ۱۱ to ۲۹ denote the warninglevel, and ≥۳۰ signify contamination.Results: Our results showed that ۲۶.۹% of cigarettes were sold by vendors, ۶۵.۴% by stalls,and ۷.۷% by supermarkets. The prevalence rates of microbial contamination in standardpackaged and unpackaged (bulk) cigarettes were ۲.۳% and ۴۶.۲%, respectively. Among theexamined samples, ۱۷.۳% were clean, ۳۶.۵% were contaminated at the warning level, and۴۶.۲% were contaminated. The percentages of contaminated cigarettes sold by vendors, stalls,and supermarkets were ۵۰%, ۴۷.۱%, and ۲۵%, respectively.Conclusion: The results of this study underscore microbial contamination as another side riskthat can be transferred directly from the hands of the supplier to the mouth of the consumer. Theintensity of contamination was different based on the place of supply (sales units). Therefore,more attention should be paid to the organization of distribution units of these products.

Keywords:

Microbial contamination , Unpackaged cigarettes , Tobacco , Bandar Abbas