R.j. Reynolds Tobacco Company

Jerry W Redding

Thomas A Perfetti

Milly M Wong

Barry L Saintsing

Patrick Michael Lippiello

Donald L Roberts

Brian M Lawrence

Karen M Womble

Donna K Woods

Robert Henry Powell

Renee M Pogrow

Cynthia A Stewart

Robert L Suber, Sr

Robert F Moates

A cigarette comprises a blend of tobacco materials and a filter element provided from a non-woven thermoplastic material. The non-woven material comprises polyester or polypropylene fibers. The non-woven material is in intimate contact with an acidic material (e.g., phosphoric acid) or a basic material (e.g., sodium hydroxide).

Cigarette and cigarette filter element therefor

A cigarette comprises a blend of tobacco materials and a filter element provided from a non-woven thermoplastic material. The non-woven material comprises polyester or polypropylene fibers. The non-woven material is in intimate contact with a water soluble tobacco extract and a further material for altering the character of mainstream smoke which passes through the filter element. The tobacco extract can be a spray dried extract which has been subjected to heat treatment. The further material can be an acid (e.g., levulinic acid), a base (e.g., sodium hydroxide) or a salt (e.g., diammonium hydrogen orthophosphate).

Cigarettes having high nicotine content tobacco cut filler are rendered smooth smoking and palatable by incorporating an organic acid salt additive therein. For example, a cigarette having a cut filler with a blend nicotine content of greater than 2 percent has a sodium levulinate additive combined with the tobacco cut filler of the cigarette. Smooth smoking cigarettes yielding good tobacco taste and minimal off-taste are provided.

Cigarette

Cigarettes have a smokable filler blend comprising 60 to 75 percent tobacco cut filler and 25 to 40 percent of a second smokable cut filler consisting essentially of 50 to 70 percent calcium carbonate, 15 to 45 percent pyrolyzed cotton linters, and 7 to 12 percent polysaccharide binder. The blend is contained in a paper wrapper having a permeability from about 40 to about 75 CORESTA units. Cigarettes normally include a filter element and are air diluted to an air dilution level of from 40 to 65 percent. The smokable blend preferably is blended with a tobacco essence, and the nicotine content of the blend is greater than 2 percent. Cigarettes exhibit resistances to draw between 80 and 150 mm water pressure drop at 17.5 cc/sec. air flow. Cigarettes exhibit FTC 'tar' to nicotine ratios less than 9.

A smoking product having an improved flavor is prepared by applying a naturally occurring terpenoid glycoside sweetener to the portion of the product that is intended to be contacted by the smoker's lips.

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Lexington, NC, United States of America

Jerry W Redding