Impact of cigarette paper parameters on smoke yields of cigarettes with different circumferences
Cigarettes with reduced circumference are very popular in several markets. Over the last decade a significant growth rate has been observed worldwide.
Changing the circumference has an influence on the physical properties of the unlit cigarette and therefore the burning characteristics and smoke chemistry of the lit cigarette. Following this, it is important to understand the effects of a reduction in circumference as well as changes in physical paper properties on the burning characteristics and smoke chemistry. The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of physical cigarette paper parameters on the smoke yields, combustion temperature and ash appearance of cigarettes having different formats.
In a first step, 11 cigarette papers were produced varying the basis weight (25 g/m2 - 35 g/m2), air permeability (30 CU-70 CU) and filler content (30 %-40 %). The burn additive type and concentration were kept constant. Afterwards filterless cigarettes were produced in three different formats (King Size (KS), Demi Slim (DS), Super Slim (SS)) using the same tobacco blend and the same tobacco density.
The influence of the physical cigarette paper parameters on smoke yields and burning characteristics is qualitatively similar for all cigarette formats. The absolute yields are significantly different, e.g. when increasing air permeability CO yields for KS cigarettes are decreasing from approximately 12 mg/cig to 10 mg/cig and for SS cigarettes from approximately 8 mg/cig to 6 mg/cig. The CO to CO2 ratio is higher for KS cigarettes compared to SS cigarettes. As expected the ash appearance of SS cigarettes is significantly better than that of KS cigarettes.
The results show that physical cigarette paper parameters are a relevant factor for the design of cigarettes of all formats.