bat science - Cigarette science
To develop potential reduced-exposure products (PREPs) we need to continue to carry out fundamental research in areas such as combustion science, analytical chemistry and smoking behaviour. This research should provide us with insights into the complex chemical and physical interactions that occur both as a cigarette burns and in the relationship between smoke and the smoker.
Cigarette components
We are investigating each element of the construction of a cigarette - including the tobacco blend, the cigarette paper and the filter - looking for opportunities to modify the toxicants in smoke either by restricting their formation or reducing their amounts once formed.
Combustion science and smoke components
We have published a considerable number of papers on the combustion processes that occur in a lit cigarette, many of which have resulted from years of research by Dr Richard Baker [ 1 ] and co-workers.
Understanding the various processes helps to clarify the mechanisms for the chemical formation of tobacco smoke constituents, which in turn may help find ways to reduce the formation of some toxicants.
Analysis of smoke
A very complex mixture of gases, vapours and particles is produced when tobacco is burned - made up of thousands of chemicals in a wide range of concentrations.
Many of the potentially most important toxicants are found at nanogram levels and some are highly reactive.
This means it is important to develop standardised analytical techniques to collect, separate and measure key toxicants, using test conditions relevant to human smoking. Our research includes collaborative trials to determine the reproducibility of analytical methods.
Smoking machines
Researchers need a controlled system in which to study smoke chemistry. Machines are used to smoke cigarettes in a reproducible way and allow collection of the various smoke fractions.
Environmental conditions - such as relative humidity and temperature - can affect smoke yields as can the size and number of puffs taken by the machine. Our research looks at the impact of different smoking machine parameters on smoke chemistry.
Regulatory in vitro toxicology
The research programme also uses standard regulatory toxicology tests such as Ames for mutagenicity and Neutral Red for cytotoxicity. We do not believe that these tests are sufficient for assessing relative risk of one product against another, but they do provide standardised in vitro data as a guide for our assessment of new technologies.
Smoking behaviour
If researchers are to compare data from different products and different laboratories, then standardising analytical methods is vital. Research into human smoking behaviour is also essential to better understand the actual exposure to toxicants when a tobacco product is smoked.
Our research includes various experimental techniques to assess smoking behavioural parameters, such as measuring puff volumes.
Our aim is to provide a better understanding of the wide range of smoking behaviour that can occur both within a study population and within individuals, and the difference the product makes to this behaviour.
