Tobacco Documents Online

- 2 Vwl,~ ~~^.,3 Minutes of the META Scientist Meeting Hold in London on February 23, 1988 Distribution : M. Bourlas, F. Lopes, B. Robinson. Purpose : Review of the "SASO Draft Gulf Standards for cigarette. Discuss and initiate adequate actions of META meeting on March 10, and the presen- tation to SASO (about March 15, 1988). Participants : Rothmans (host) : M.C. Pavitt (Chairman of the meeting), Dr. E.M. Cumming, Dr. W.D. Rowland, V.A. White. BAT : Dr. H. Dymond. Gallaher : Dr. D.J. Mackenzie. PM : B. Robinson, J. Krauss. R.J. Reynolds : excused (confirmed, however, their interest in participation ) I.- General Comments re the Draft Standard - The Draft has been distributed to several Gulf countries. - The Industry has an opportunity to comment on the Draft and will do so. The Draft is partially a copy of our "Indien Standard", which was issued in 1963 and which has been promoted by WHO. That standard surfaced 3 years later in Pakistan, later in Sri Lanka, Ghana and finally in Kenya. It might show up in other Asian or African countries in the futur. The current Indian standard, issued about 5 years ago, is much more reasonable. Dr. H. Dymond will send a copy of the original "Indian Standard" to M. Pavitt and B. Robinson. Other documents used for the stablishment of the Draft : Food standards, e.g. concerning moisture levels (mold groth), US list of upper limits of pesticides on tobacco (leaf), possibly the "3rd Froggett Report" (additive content, HNC). 2501077213

Page 2 Actions Based on the review of the Draft, Dr. E. Cumming and Dr. H. Dymond will establish an alternatif "standard" to be approved by META (March 10) and presented to SASO (approx. March 15). This "standard", will be structured differently (chapters : tobacco, cigarettes, packaging, sampling, labelling) and an appendix will be attached which explaines the reasons of the proposed changes. They will further prepare a draft covering letter. Dr. E. Cumming and Dr. H. Dymond will meet on Feb. 29 in Southampton in order to establish the above mentioned documents. As soon as these papers are completed, they will be sent to META members (PM - B. Robinson) B. Robinson will send food standards re. content of heavy metals to Dr. Cumming and Dr. Dymond. 3.- Review of the Draft Standard - Rothmans presented a document called "Comments on the Gulf Standard-Cigarettes" (by E.M. Cumming, dated 15.2.88), of which a copy is attached to these minutes. -General- Definitions : It should be cleanly stated, that the filter is a part of a cigarette. Characteristics -- 4.1-Refer to raw tobacco _(mentioning of "additives" not /4.2 needed). -- 4.1-...shall be ...free from...mold groth -- 4.2-...free from infestation -- 4.3-Is copied from Indian Standard : refers to the cut of the cigarette rod should read ...cleanly cut at the ends" 4.4-Second part (burning end fall-off) OK, but it will be difficult to check the compliance to the standard. 4.4-First part (homogeneous burning) not acceptable as the the current product design will be "froozen", same remark re. items 4.5 (even tobacco distribution), 4.7 (density limitation), 4.12 (cig. paper weight), 4.13 (length of tob. column), 4.18 (circumference), 4.21 (filtration efficiency), 4.22 (resistance to draw) -- 4.6 to 4.11 - Have to be understood as "consumer protection", to be rewritten; the standard should refer to a "check-point" (e.g. at point of importation). 2501077214

Page 3 -- 4.9-(Not existing in the Indian Standard), to be rewritten, processes like Burley treatment, tobacco expansion, tobacco reconstitution (sheet), and use of ripper shorts have to remain acceptable. --4.10-Should be left in. --4.11-From Indian Standard, refers to "tobacco free in the pack" the 100% reference should be clearly defined. --4.14-From Indian Standard, refers to mold groth, other inter- national (food-plant material) standard also mention the 10 to 13% range, however, they clearly refer to water content (Karl Fischer method). --4.15-Should refer to tobacco blend part, 18% is tight, the Industry should request 22 or 20% limit. --4.16-To be 3% on dry wright basis. --4.17-The Indian Standard refers to nicotine. The Industry should request that natural carrying levels (5%) are accepted. --4.19 and 4.20-Methode and sampling to be well defined, if refering to mean values : acceptable, however, they probably refer to individual cigarettes which is not acceptable for the Industry. --4.23-Refers probably to the 3rd Froggett Report , 15% limit can be unacceptable for PM (RJR ?) when paper to be included (as in draft of 4 the Froggett Report) --4.24-Refers to the US list for tobacco (leaf-not filler), has probably to be accepted. --4.25-Should refer to naturally occurring levels; Industry should refer to food standards (grain, nuts, tea, etc) B. Robinson will send those standards to Dr. Cumming and Dr. H. Dymond. --4.26-See comment on Rothmans' document (enclosed) 4.26.4-from 3rd Froggett Report (?), it could become dangerous if HCN level to be put on lable, should be separated/moved into another section. The other companies feel that PM and RJR might have problems because of the use of Burley. HCN is very difficult to determine, ISO standards are not available. 4.26.5-Industry to request application ISO-standards (mg/cig).and a 15 mg/cig. upper limit. 2501077215

Page 4 Sa.pling The ISO-Standard,might be too large/heavy. The Industry should make a recommendation, e.g. based on the LGC sampling procedure (a copy of an UK customs document could be added to the Industries proposal). Methodes Not all methodes are defined by international standards. Where not existing, the Industry should offer collaboration with SASO in developing them. Packaging No special comments. Labelling -- 8.4-Not acceptable (SASO may even want expiration dates) -- 8.5-Meaning of "batch" not clear -- 8.6-To be taken out (SASO may want "country of origin") Transportation and Storage see Rothmans' comment Enclosures - comments to the Gulf Standard-Cigarettes (E.M. Cumming, 12.2.88) - Draft Gulf Standard-Cigarettes. L, For the minutes, I A_ ',( )Jurgen Krauss (Feb 25, 1988) 2501077216