Tobacco Documents Online

-- • " File Note No. 0872 ARC/I~R/I 2#th February, 1970. f IMPROVEMENT IN T~E ~940KE QUALITY OF A BIOLOGICALLY 0RI~TED CIGARETI~ It is suggested that an attempt should be made to develop a clgarette which mig~ht have a commercially acceptable smoke quality and which is designed in the knowledge of current thinking on how biological activity can be reduced. Two important aspects of the latter problem are to reduce the specific activity of the smoke (i.e____~. the sctivity per unit weight of condensate) and to reduce the total amount of smoke delivered by the cigarette. ~he results of the long term mouse skin painting experiments at Harrogate and Frankfurt show, inter al~a, that specific activity may be lowered by using reconstituted tobacco and by reducing the circumference of the cigarette. Efficient filters are of major importance in the context of reducing the overall smoke deliveries (ventilation is deliberately not considered, since there is indirect evidence to suggest that smoke from ventilated cigarettes may have a higher specific activity). A cigarette incorporating a high proportion of reconstituted tobacco and fitted with an efficient filter is bound to pose considerable problems with regard to smoke quality. It is thought that if a cigarette of this kind was marketed it would have to sell on its own merits and no health claims could be made for it. The work which is proposed is aimed principally at overcoming the smoke quality problem. It is foreseen that the main advantage likely to be gained from the work is experlence in handling a problem of this nature. If, however, some of the smoke quality problems can be solved, there is a reasonable chance that a commercially attractive product will be developed which might interest a B-A.T. Company in, say, Europe. CD O -.j BATCo document for Legal Services • Health Canada 18 May 1999

-2- In broad outline, it is proposed that experiments should be started with the ultimate objective of producing a sllm, U.S. blended type filter tipped cigarette, incorporating a blend with a high proportion (30-40%) of reconstituted ~obacco. It is suggested that initial work should be aimed at amelioration of the reconstituted tobacco before more complicated blending experiments are begun. ~he following plan gives one possible approach to the problem: Phase I Improvement in the Quality of Smoke from Reconstituted Tobacco ~his will consist of a study of the effect of various ameliorants on the smoke quality of a simple blend of flue-cured and reconstituted tobacco. The ameliorants will include bases such as ammonia and amphoterlc compounds such as ammonium salts, as well as the more traditional acid ameliorants, e.g. hydrochloric acid, magnesium chloride etc. The effect of casings might also be investigated. It is planned to use a WOODROSE panel to show which chemicals reduce the level of irritation in the smoke and which individual ones are the most effective in this respect. ~hese will also be screened for their effect on the toxicity of smoke to Paramecia and/or Tetrahymena (it would obviously be undesirable to recommend any additive which significantly increased the toxicity of the smoke, even if it had ~ desirable Influencm on smoke quality). Two types of blended reconstituted tobacco (P.C.L. and Schweltzer R.T. ) would be obtained from Louisville for these experiments. It is anticipated that the latter will be representative of paper reconstituted tobacco generally and that the results of these experiments will be relevant to the P.R.T. to be produced in R. and D.E. at the end of the year. °~ c.; Oo BATCo document for Legal Services • Health Canada 18 May 1999

-3- Phase II Desi6n of Suitable U.S.-q~ype Blended Cigarette a ) B1 end Blending experiments will aim to investigate a limited number of combinations of five blend components: two flue-cured blends, one HUrley blend, one Oriental grade and one reconstituted tobacco (the latter selected from Phase I). Of the two flue-cured blends, one will be a blend of Ehglish-type grades, e.g., Ch'102, and the other a blend of U.S. Domestic-X or -S grades. ~he Oriental will be a single grade selected from a number of the more aromatic types. ~he Burley blend will be cased with a single casing mixture initially, but it is realised that modifications will almost certainly have to be made to the casing r~clpe in conjunction with the choice of filter at the next stage in the development. A WOODROSE panel will be used to select samples which have a similar balance of taste and flavour attributes to commercial U.S. blended cigarett.-s. b) Cigarette (including filter) This phase will consider design aspects such as length, circumference, tobacco density, c.p.i., etc. and also the design of an efficient filter. Experiments will be carried out using the blend selected from phase ll(a). The main variable to be studied is the filter. At present, three types appear to offer the performance required: Dalmatian carbon (or granular bed carbon triple), BATEAU-type water capsule and a combination of carbon and water capsule. Because of the considerable modifying influence on flavour given by efficient filters, it is anticipated that modifications to the caslng formula may have to be made. Similarly, selection of a %.._., BATCo document for Legal Services • Health Canada 18 May 1999

-4- suitable top dressing flavour should also be delayed until thls staEe. At the very least, it is hoped that the above work will show in the early sta~es how the smoke quality of reconstituted tobacco can be improved. If carried through to conclusion, there is a falr chance of developing a commercially attractive product. A.R. Cousins 0 0 0 0 BATCo document for Legal Services • Health Canada 18 May 1999