Prediction Model for Cigarette Yields Derived from Data Obtained under Two Different Machine Smoking Regimes

“Tar”, nicotine and carbon monoxide (TNCO) cigarette yields determined under different smoking regimes, with and without ventilation blocking, are linearly related to the difference Δt between the smouldering time (cigarette combustion with no puffing) and the smoking time (cigarette combustion with puffing). Δt forms then the basis of yield predictions. The smoulder rate determination used in the calculation of Δt can be difficult for low ignition propensity cigarettes which present some tendency for selfextinguishment. This issue was overcome in a novel testing scheme involving the determination of number of puffs and smoking times under two different smoking regimes and inputting this data into a cigarette burning model. This enabled us to characterise the burning process and provided an extensive set of information such as the mean smoulder rate between puffs or the mass of tobacco burnt during puffs regardless of the smoking regime applied.

Good correlations were observed between the mass of tobacco burnt during puffs and TNCO or B[a]P yields. Correlations provide a way to link yields from one smoking regime to another and confirm that yields determined from one regime are sufficient to establish the relationships between yields and smoking intensity. It was concluded that smoke yields for arbitrary smoking regimes can potentially be predicted by determining the puff numbers and smoking times from two different smoking regimes and the smoke yields from only one regime. This testing scheme allows a comprehensive characterisation of a cigarette at reduced cost. [Beitr. Tabakforsch. Int. 26 (2015) 320-333]