Objectives:
Heavy metals, such as cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg), are among the toxic substances present in tobacco smoke. This is the result of contamination of tobacco grown in the natural environment. The presence of heavy metals in tobacco poses health risk for active and passive smokers. The aim of the study was to compare the concentration of heavy metals (Cd, Hg, Pb) in tobacco from various types of cigarettes and in tobacco smoke.

Material and methods:
25 tobacco samples from 8 different cigarette producers were collected. Tobacco smoke samples were collected during the burning of 3 cigarettes of each type. The tobacco and tobacco smoke samples were subjected to the mineralization process, and then the concentration of Cd, Pb and Hg was determined. On the basis of the obtained results, a statistical analysis of the relationship between the concentration of Cd in tobacco and in tobacco smoke was performed.

Results:
The mean content of Cd and Hg in tobacco varied and amounted to 1.073–1.634 mg/kg and 0.203–0.126 mg/kg, respectively, while the Pb concentration was determined only in one sample (0.221 mg/kg). In the case of tobacco smoke, the mean Cd content was 0.023–0.054 µg/sample, and the concentrations of Pb and Hg were below the limit of quantification. A positive correlation was found between the Cd content in tobacco and its content in tobacco smoke; the relationship was statistically insignificant.

Conclusions:
Among heavy metals, the highest concentration in tobacco and in tobacco smoke was found in the case of Cd. The tested tobacco samples were characterized by different concentrations of heavy metals depending on the type and brand of cigarettes. The tobacco smoke samples were characterized by a low content of Pb and Hg.