TSNAs

Definition:

Tobacco-specific N-nitrosamines (TSNAs) are known to be some of the most potent carcinogens present in smokeless tobacco, snuff and tobacco smoke.

TSNAs consist of four chemical compounds:

• N-nitrosonornicotine (NNN)
• 4-methyl-N-nitrosamino-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK)
• N-nitrosoanatabine (NAT)
• N-nitrosoanabasine (NAB)

Two of these chemical compounds, NNN and NNK, have been classifed as Group 2B carcinogens.