Over half of young Black men who smoked cannabis blunts — but reported no tobacco use — had nicotine metabolite levels exceeding secondhand smoke exposure, revealing hidden nicotine addiction risk.
Cannabis blunt smokers, public health advocates, clinicians working with young adults, and anyone concerned about hidden nicotine exposure.
What the researchers found
Among 46 young Black men who smoked only cannabis blunts (no reported tobacco use), 54.3% had salivary cotinine levels above 10ng/mL — exceeding typical secondhand smoke levels. Higher cotinine was associated with more blunts smoked, self-constructed blunts, greater cannabis quantity, and cannabis dependence.
Why it matters
Blunts are made with tobacco leaf wrappers, but many users don't consider themselves tobacco users. This hidden nicotine exposure could drive unrecognized nicotine addiction, with particular health equity implications for young Black men who disproportionately use blunts.
The numbers in context
111 participants, 46 saliva samples. 54.3% had cotinine >10ng/mL. More blunts = higher cotinine (r=.35, p=.017). Self-constructed blunts had higher cotinine (p=.02). Cannabis dependence correlated with cotinine (r=.31, p=.046).
How the study worked
Cross-sectional study of 111 young adult Black men (ages 18-30) reporting 30-day blunt use but no tobacco/nicotine use. 46 provided saliva samples at two timepoints (baseline and 10 hours later). Cotinine levels measured and correlated with use patterns, cravings, and affect.
What this study cannot tell us
Small subsample with saliva (46 of 111). Single geographic/demographic group. Cross-sectional design. Self-reported no tobacco use may not be accurate in all cases. Cotinine doesn't distinguish between tobacco wrapper and other potential nicotine sources.
How to read the evidence
Small sample with objective biomarker measurement — provides strong evidence of the phenomenon but limited generalizability.
When this study was published
Published in 2026, using data collected 2023-2024, addressing a growing health equity concern.
The bigger picture
This study highlights a hidden health equity issue: young Black men who believe they avoid tobacco are nonetheless getting significant nicotine exposure through blunts. This unintentional exposure could create nicotine dependence and contribute to tobacco-related health disparities.
Questions still open
- Are blunt smokers developing nicotine dependence without realizing it? Would awareness of nicotine content change blunt use behavior? Should blunt wraps carry nicotine content warnings?
Common questions
Do cannabis blunts contain nicotine?
Could smoking blunts lead to nicotine addiction?
Read the original research
Hidden nicotine: Cotinine levels among young adult Black men who smoke cannabis blunts.
Drug and alcohol dependence, 282, 113086
Citation
D'Anna, Laura Hoyt; Chang, Kyle; Owens, Jaelen; Wood, Jefferson L; Pang, Raina; Conner, Bradley. (2026). Hidden nicotine: Cotinine levels among young adult Black men who smoke cannabis blunts.. Drug and alcohol dependence, 282, 113086. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2026.113086