Tobacco and nicotine products contain compounds that can cause harmful effects to human health, both for users as well as bystanders. RIVM provides (methods for) exposure and risk assessments of these products, based on their toxicological, addictive and attractive properties.

RIVM collaborates in joint PhD projects with Wageningen University and Research (WUR) and Maastricht University on tobacco. Currently, two PhD students are working on their projects.

RIVM works in close contact with various (inter)national health research institutes and universities. They exchange information about national trends in tobacco products and legislation and collaborate on scientific research projects.

RIVM works in close contact with many other parties that are involved in tobacco regulatory science.

RIVM has expertise with a lot of methods to measure relevant parameters in tobacco and nicotine products and their emissions. Therefore our tobacco laboratory is equipped to perform a wide range of (physical-) chemical analyses.

Product use is studied using analytical and hedonic sensory methods (in collaboration with the University of Wageningen), behavioural studies investigating reasons for use and risk perception, mode of use and biomarkers of exposure/effect (in collaboration with the University of Maastricht).

RIVM investigates the design of tobacco and nicotine products, including their chemical composition and that of their emissions. Information about the composition is used to perform risk analyses, to support product regulation and to inform the public. Analytical chemical techniques and product data submitted by manufacturers are used to obtain information on the composition of products.

On a regular basis, new tobacco products or nicotine products that do not contain tobacco are introduced on the consumer market. RIVM signals and assesses developments and trends among these products to inform policy makers and enforcement.

Research at RIVM aims to support global policymaking and enforcement of tobacco regulation. It comprises the attractive, addictive and toxic properties of tobacco and nicotine products (TNP, such as e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches). Product composition, user behaviour and sensory perception, risk communication, risk assessment, and policy advice are areas of interest.