Introduction: The general lack of knowledge about the composition of clove cigarettes and the large number of terms that can be used to define different types of cigarettes that contain cloves makes it difficult to find scientific articles focused on the subject. We reviewed the publications that cited clove cigarettes to assess their relevance.
Methods: We searched publications on Scopus, ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Portal CAPES during the first semester of 2021, without date restrictions. Through a quality assessment, the studies found were assorted in ten different categories.
Results: Indonesian clove cigarettes-also known as kretek-are a mixture of tobacco and cloves rolled in a cigarette and sprayed with oils, plant extract, and food flavorings, in an unknown quantity and composition, different from each brand, which is usually kept in secret. Due to the relatively low prevalence of use in the general population, most publications on tobacco products tend to ignore clove cigarettes or place them in an existing category. Clove cigarettes can be hand-rolled, machine-made, filtered, unfiltered, and each form can be named differently. The interchangeable use of each term, sometimes grouping conventional cigarettes in the mix, can lead the researcher to consider a publication that should be excluded.
Conclusion: The existing regulations on flavored cigarettes, although well-intentioned, are still somewhat vague and broad, leaving possible loopholes that can be exploited by the tobacco industries. Fully understanding the precise effects caused by clove cigarettes can be an important tool in future discussions about tobacco control.
Keywords: Clove cigarettes; flavored cigarettes; kretek; regulatory issues; review.