Tobacco Documents Online

Indivadual Copies To: Messrs. Wiiliams Teague Cundiff Sherrill rv o. gi gy _ _~ _ .~.: Subject: New Product Ideas Meeting August 20, 1974 . Those in attendance were Messrs. Bassindale, Birn, Donat Williams, Cundiff, Johnson, Leffingwell, Teague, Woods, Perrill,•., 1-- ~ A Bl i J R d ns, r.. . ev Nr. . 1•Ss. Stowe an This summarizes the second New Product Ideas Meeting: (1) to review selected concepts for which sample products were available; (2) to apprise the Research and Tobacco Development Groups of consumer response to New Product ideas previously reviewed; and (3) to generate and discuss additional new ideas not previously considered. I. Concepts/Sample Products TLK reviewed the verbal concepts and ad forms for six ideas that had been tested and their disposition in test to date. In each case, after a review of the verbal concept statement and ad form employed in test, the product prepared for it by the Tobacco Development or Research Department was sampled and discussed. A summary of the discussion and action to be taken on each of the products f-ollows : A. Suave - Code SS - This was the name assigned to the "o ir ginal SALEM"/low-level menthol idea tested as the "soft: smoke.". In comparison to the preliminary product sampled on June 5, this latest product was generally perceived as being higher in menthol. As guidance for further development of this product, it was reaffirmed that a, product delivering a "soft smoke" as opposed to a "menthol smoke" was required to satisfy this concept. It was agreed that TD would explore "how far down" the addition of menthol could be taken to deliver a"sof.t" non-menthol tasting product. It was also agreed that the green strips %.:ould be left off the barrel of the cigarette to avoid any connotation of menthol; moreover, that once the menthol level was decided upon, sufficient samples for use in group sessions would be prepared.

-2- B. Rea] -- Code RL - An unfiltered cigarette made largely oi"puff" tobacco that couldyield a 17 mg. tar level. Two samples were tasted at this meeting: an 852,14M with a cork tip and a 701-iM without a cork tip. it was agreed that: development of the 85MM product would be pursued as the length best advised to position against Pall Mall (26 mg. tar); and that whether the fi.nal. product should be cork tipped is to be determined through an appropriate consumer research. C. Frontier - Code FT - A cigarette containing-a blend of .natural tobaccos only, with no artificial ingredients (i.e., no casing or top dressing). Five samples were tasted at this meeting: an 85MM regular; and 8511•1A1 menthol; a 100MM regular; a 100MZi menthol; a low tar 85MM (9.0 mg. tar). It was agreed that: the 85MP•] and the 100MIM non-low tar would be.pur.sued and that, based on the taste and quality of tobaccos, it is possible that this cigarette could also be used to pursue the quality route (e.g., Classic). In this connection, the 85MM length would be pursued for the Frontier Brand, while the 100,11\1 length could be pursued for the premium quality cigarette. 11hether the both lengths should be used for Frontier and for the premium quality cigarette, as opposed to distinguishing between the routes by length of cigarette, is a decision to be finalized. D. Tips - Code - None Assigned - A cigarette with an individual plastic tip housing a TC filter. Samples were not available for this meeting, but prototype examples, with transparent filters, were distributed for review. The "hand samples" contained a DORAL and VANTAGE filter in transparent plastic tips. It was pointed out at the meeting that the product will probably be an expensive one, but not only from the cost of goods point of view but also from increased costs due to slower line speeds. Discussion of various routes that could possibly be explored to produce the filter, such as an estron tip with a polyethylene shrink-wrap cover ensued. It was agreed, due to•the problems inherent in production and preparation of such filter, that investigation of this product concept and feasibility would continue. It was also agreed that further work on this product would be suspensed until a decision made by July 1, 1975 regarding whether this.product was in fact feasible. 0 0

.1 V -3- Gusto - Codc GO - A full-flavor cigarette idea; a ci.garette that has been liberally doused with a compatible flavor that enhances the expected cigarette taste, but does not identify the enhancer, nor that the enhancer is present in.the product. It was agreed, based on the concept''s performance in test, that the idea needed more work in the concept area if it is to be pursued. The Research Group pointed out-that it had had the assignment of developing higher flavor leve).s for some time. Samples of three flavored products were discussed: (1) Vandemint Liqueur in menthol; (2) Cherry menthol; and (3) Chocolate. Experience obtainad to date in a series off tests with the company panel regarding flavors was discussed. The key question that arises and that needs to be • answered is the compatibility of flavor with other things; e.g., "ham and eggs" at breakfast. It was agreed, however, that the flavors tasted at this meeting were not consistent with the Gusto concept, and that the area would continue to be explored. F. NicoLess - Code NL - A cigarette using real tobacco but ~ih ch contained no nicotine and Js•low in tar. In concept test, this idea scored extremely high. It was agreed that the sample distributed for tasting at this meeting was not the best taste that could be achieved in this cigarette, and that Tobacco Development ~will improve the taste of the sample. A reasonable test marketing dute would be September, 1975. This date ~ a assumes that the requirements _for the_German market _ - ; has been satisfied.. - - ~ - - --------_ ---------------- ~le ~ '• _- - ""- A ~ PRIVILEGED MATERIAL REDACTED ; ' "- -- - \e '-""-- ~---

-4- 7I. New Products Activity To Date In order to apprise Tobacco Development and Research of the activity in the New Products program that has occurred to date, a selected group of concepts that have been tested was reviewed. They were: Classic; :.ort}i Wind; Balance; Q.T. ; 19+; Blondes; Now; Choice; Northwest; Lance; 24ax; Sports; and 40 Shorties. Some comments were made on various of the concepts reviewed by various members of the group: R. Blevins indicated that North Wind e•ras perhaps eight months away from development ; D. Johnson indicated that someone had a patent to make a cigarette consistent with the Bal.ance concept; R. Cundiff indicated that a two-piece rod would be extremely difficult to make profitably and that it would require a great deal of development work; and that the Suave, Frontier, and premium quality cigarette (Classicj might be one and the • same cigarette. Further review of the Balance conce•pt suggests that product .and mechanical development would be expensive and require a long time. The idea has been shelved for the time being. III. Ideas Not Previously E~osed In order to facilitate review of the new ideas, they were grouped by applicable area and characteristics of a cigarette. A summary of the ideas reviewed, those considered feasible and worthy of further consideration at this time, follows. A. Tobacco Rod 1. Ideas Y, _A 'a. Rigid rod requirg ing no paper wrapping b. A place in the rod where cigarette snuffs itself out (the cigarette that say when)' c. Self-igniting cigarette rd: Tobacco__rod that looks like a VANTAGE filter Addition of breath fresheners acti.vate-d--by-buring' :- Utr i-h za~on of pipe g. Easy igniting, slower burning particularly for an outdoors smoke 2. Resolution Ideas tb, d and e were considered feasible, and further exploration would be done. In the case of re, the idea was modified; the breath freshener would be considered for applicatian in the filter consi.stent with Mr. Cundiff' s capsule idea %.;hich %•,as drawn schematically on the blackboard at this meeting.

B. Filter ideas #c and d were considered feasible and worthy of further exploration. Idea #b was considered earlier in the discussion about breath fresheners within the tobacco rod. Idea na was put on hold for a future time when other "non-conventional" filters would be the topic of discussion. ' C. Flavor 1. Ideas a. Tapered fiiter to increase filtration properties b. Addition of breath freshener activated by biting/ squeezing filter c:. Flavor additives in filter d~._Flavorr heighteners in filter 2. Resolution l. Ideas a. "Overdosing" of various flavorings to achieve superior taste b. Particularly compatible with orr enhancing of various foods and beverages 2. Resolution It was agreed that a "new dimension" in..flavor should be of primary concern; moreover, that identification of which of the 15 flavors available are most acceptable to the consumer, is a~question that should be resolved before pursuing developmental work in this area. I). Aroma 1. Ideas -'--a. Retain good aroma of freshly opened (tastes as good as it smells) b. Pipe tobacco aromas 2. Resolution pack Both ideas na and b were considered feasible. In the case of idea ;;a, two directions would be explored: (a) heightening aroma when the cigarette pack is first open; and (b) sustaining the aroma after being opened. In the case of idea ,;;b, the question to be resolved prior to purg suing development of sp-mple product, is which aromas are to b` utilized. Previous experience sugqcsts that Wb should not be promoted as a cigarette made of pipe tobacco.

E. Moistness 1. Ideas a. Moisture retainers in tobacco or filter b. Moisture releasing agents activated by burning c. indi.vidually wrapped cigarettes to retain moistness 2. Resolution No specific agreements were reached on any of the above ideas. I'. Cic~arette Paper 1. Ideas a. Water resistent cigarette b. Moisture guard coat on inside of paper wall c. Colored/tinted paper to.retain moisture better 2. Resolution No specific agreements were reached on any of the above ideas. G. Smoke 1. Ideas a. Smoke imparting no odor b. Relatively smokeless cigarette c. Smoke that does not stain the fingers 2. Resolution ideas ¢ra and b would be investigated in connection with the new cigarette being developed which produces a "gray" smoke, and that the Research Group will report progress periodically. H. Additional/Uifferent Benefits 1. Ideas a. High level of nicotine b. Nicotine/caffeine combination c. Time release nicotine reaction d. Proprietary drug ingredients; relaxants; diet control agent; analgesics; benzocaine to overcome "throat scratch." -6-

F. 821 , - ~~ rR. J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANY j ~ RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENTS Job No. Subject Date 192201 J e.[cc. I G 1Ii .~'Gt 7 [rt,, Q-c4L ~ L Ll~ u : G~'Abxtw EK Ci ydA•ee S. //~Z. Ci 'jQv' f f&S w2,4 Dc,Z" kc. G e~ew~cefl 64s: lef ' r /l a -fLst.~ se . V , c; yd.k ~ es 2.Ae_ l1 xA4..~ 6e X.Aa 2 ~ 6%A-7PS- a-~ wsAze. , A =l ::'2 -A['5::! k I r I WLz I'ln aC P6$1 Q7F/Se. ce- ~ ~ •~ r~~~ .2 Sec. ~a.c/ft. l.~t.c~~ Or~L.ltdl /e ---•w . zd'7~n7~ / Z 3 L/ $- 6 /~, c~~ •fs . 2[~ k0 /0~ 2C~ 1/[1 ldo r w •A Q 0 ve a0 . 1 v . l v f ;31 ~ li i o• o o I . ao . a •osfeo o. OoOi . e 2 V .N N ~