Characterization of Menthol History and Design of Menthol Cigarettes

Transcription

1 Characterization of Menthol History and Design of Menthol Cigarettes Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee July 15, 2010 Michael W. Ogden, Ph.D.

2 Overview History of menthol Cigarette design General factors Menthol considerations RJR brand trends Kool Salem Camel Conclusion 2

3 History (1920 s 1955) First menthol cigarette Spud introduced in 1926 Lloyd Spud Hughes discovered menthol cigarettes when he left his tobacco near some menthol crystals Other non filtered menthol cigarette brands introduced in 1930 s, including: Penguin Menthorets Snowball Kool Menthol primarily an occasional use product 3

4 History (1956 Present) Salem launched as first filtered menthol cigarette in 1956 Hundreds of menthol cigarette styles have since been introduced Most were menthol styles of non menthol brands Preference for menthol cigarettes grew in 1960 s and 1970 s Currently about 27 percent of total US cigarette market 4

5 Design (Cigarettes in General) True of menthol and non menthol cigarettes Tobacco wrapped in paper Focus is on the fundamental properties of smoke generation and transfer to smokers Many factors affect draw, taste, yield, oral sensations, etc. 5

6 Design (Menthol Types) Two basic types of menthol Natural Crystallized from the steam distilled oil of corn mint plant 99.5% pure RJR uses only natural menthol Synthetic Chemically produced from a variety of feedstocks 99.95% pure 6

7 Design (Menthol Application) 8 common methods to add menthol to cigarettes: Spray on tobacco during blending Apply to pack foil Inject into tobacco stream on cigarette maker Apply to cigarette paper on cigarette maker Inject into filter on filter maker Insert crushable capsule in filter Put menthol thread in filter Use combination of application methods 7

8 Design (Typical Levels) Typical menthol levels of US cigarettes Menthol % = (Total Amount Of Menthol/Tobacco Weight)*100 Includes menthol in the tobacco, filter and paper Menthol level typically increased as tar decreases to maintain a consistent menthol delivery Menthol transfer efficiency tends to decrease with the increased filtration and ventilation of lower delivery products Tar Level (mg) Menthol Level (%)

9 Design (Smokers Perception) Menthol perception Two elements of menthol perception Menthol taste Menthol cooling Level of menthol taste and cooling a function of Source of menthol Level of menthol in the cigarette Factors that affect menthol taste and cooling Menthol content Delivery Type/Source of menthol Blend Other flavors Filter plasticizer 9

10 Design (Leaf Blending) Leaf blending Menthol blends tend to be flue skewed (more flue cured than burley tobacco) to complement menthol taste Flue cured enhances the freshness of menthol taste Burley interferes with menthol freshness However, there are many successful menthol brand styles that are Burley skewed and balanced Both menthol and non menthol products contain Oriental tobacco Menthol products generally contain less due to Oriental s unique aromatic character Final blend composition determined by consumer taste preferences 10

11 Design (Construction Variables) Design Construction variables for both menthol and non menthol cigarettes include: Ventilation Filter pressure drop (filtration) Cigarette paper Blend Tobacco weight The effect of construction variables on menthol delivery parallel their effects on tar delivery 11

12 Design (Other Factors) Filter plasticizer Most commonly used is triacetin, which is a good menthol solvent Over time, menthol becomes fixed in the filter matrix Once fixed, menthol less able to transfer to smoke stream Reduces menthol perception Other flavors Flavor additives generally do not affect menthol delivery Lighter tasting flavors tend to complement menthol taste Heavier tasting flavors tend to mute menthol taste Only way to understand effect of another flavor on menthol taste is to evaluate the combination on a cigarette 12

13 Design (Smoke Delivery) Smoke deliveries are function of blend components and construction variables Smoke deliveries also drive menthol delivery With menthol level held constant, menthol delivery will proportionally shift as tar increases or decreases Same relationship holds true for nicotine RJR studies indicate menthol delivery significantly correlated with: Tobacco menthol level Primary factor in amount of smoke menthol delivered per unit tar Filter pressure drop and ventilation level Deliveries decrease as filter pressure drop and ventilation levels increase Delivery at a given tar level depends on the combination of filter pressure drop and ventilation Menthol transfer efficiencies range from 4% to 20% depending on design and tar level Major cigarette design features cannot be used to increase menthol delivery efficiency 13

14 Design (Taste Threshold) Trace menthol and menthol taste threshold Threshold to detect menthol varies inversely by tar level Range is generally from 75 ppm to 100 ppm ( %) Detection depends on the sensory acuity of the consumer Trace menthol at RJR is defined as 50 ppm (0.005%) or less (for process purposes) Menthol level in a menthol cigarette is usually 0.30% or greater 14

15 Design (Use in Non Menthol Cigarettes) Menthol in non menthol cigarettes Several reasons menthol might be found in non menthol products: At trace levels as a result of various tobacco processes e.g., reconstituted tobacco sheet Can be an element of a commercial flavor Can be directly added to: Provide a fresh taste or brighten the flavor without imparting a menthol taste Smooth or balance the taste of the blend 15

16 Kool Menthol Trend 0.70 Kool Family Pack Menthol and Menthol Market Share, Kool Menthol Kool SOM Pack Menthol, % Share of Menthol Market (SOM), %

17 Salem Menthol Trend 0.70 Salem Family Pack Menthol and Menthol Market Share, Salem Menthol Salem SOM Pack Menthol, % Share of Menthol Market (SOM), %

18 Camel Menthol Trend 0.70 Camel Family Pack Menthol and Menthol Market Share, Camel Menthol Camel SOM Pack Menthol, % Share of Menthol Market (SOM), %

19 Conclusions Menthol cigarettes introduced in 1920 s became popular in 1960 s and 1970 s Cigarette design is similar for menthol and non menthol styles Menthol levels typically vary inversely with tar level due to low menthol transfer at lower tar RJR major menthol families have no consistent relationship between menthol levels and market share 19