With the gas chromatographic method described for determining the carbon monoxide content of cigarette smoke, it is possible to analyze several puffs from a single cigarette smoked under various conditions. The concentration of carbon monoxide in the smoke of a king-size, nonfilter cigarette increased as the cigarette was smoked. The third puff had 3.1 % carbon monoxide while the last puff had 5.0% carbon monoxide. The weight and moisture content of the tobacco in the cigarette had little or no effect on the amount of carbon monoxide produced in the smoke; however, an increase in puff volume, at a constant duration, caused an increase in the carbon monoxide content. Also, it was shown that tobacco wrapped in an aluminum-coated cigarette produced 130% more carbon monoxide in the smoke than cigarettes with uncoated paper. The average carbon monoxide contents of the smoke from the 15 brands of cigarettes tested ranged from 3.0 to 5.0%. These results indicated that the cigarette size, tobacco blend, type of cigarette, or pressure drop of the cigarette have little effect on the carbon monoxide content of the smoke.

(Full article published with kind permission from "Tobacco International")