SUMMARY & CONCLUSIONS.
B-A.T. Group Research Conference
November 9th - l3th 1970
St. Adele, Quebec
Present:
H.D. Anderson (part time)
Sir Charles Ellis
D. G. Felton
W.B. Fordyce
R. M. Gibb
S.J. Green (Chairman)
1.1-1. Hughes
L.C. Laoorte
A.D. McCormick
H.F. Rance (part time)
L.A. Rowell (part time)
R.A. Sanford
F. Seehofer
11. Sottorf
R.S. Wade
C. Warren (part time)
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B-A.T. GROUP RESEARCH CM.FERENCE
MOVE13ER 9TH - 13TH 1970
ST. ADELE, OUECEC
I. The Marltra R & D paper was reviewed and
discussed. The various
postulates raised ret with general agreement and
It wras recognised
that certain items would be covered under other
points in the agenda.
2. The assumptions underlying tobacco R & 0
identified In the 1967
Montreal Conference were re-examined. and it was
agreed that.-
a) Research can be profitable and that new
products may ncrw be
expected from research.
The 1967 minute reads "Research can be profitable
although we are in an industry where new products
generally cannot be attributable directly to
research".
b) Uicotine is important, and there is Drobably a
minimum level
necessary for consumer aCCC.Dtance in any given
market. The chemical
form of nicotine has been sho-an to affect the
rate of absorption
by the smoker.
The 1967 minute reads "Hicotine is irportant and
there is probably a minimum level of nicotine to
which for many people the habituated effects of
smoking are attributable. The form of nicotine
probably affects the rate of absorption by the
smoker".
c) Government involvement with the industry
continues to increase.
Th.e 1967 minute reads "rovernment involvenent in
the tobacco industry will become greater in the
future*.
d) The smoking and health problem is at least
partially amenable to
a research solution.
The 1967 minute reads "The smoking and health
Problem
is amenable to a researcfi solution. This is a
sionificant
i- thinkinn and is a direct result of research".
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P) It is now accepted th'at an R'S D contribution
to product characteristics
is important.
The 1967 minute reads 'Product characteristics
am imoortant in maintaining sales and for
improving
the markee.
f) It was accepted that, without inhalation. no
association between
smoking and respiratory disease could reasonably
be alled4e.
In 1967 the corresponding statement was not
agreed.
3. The general objectives of R & D were agreed to
be:-
a) to contribute to the continuation of the
industry and to the
profitability of the company. This insurance
aspect of research
remains important.
fj) To enhance the technotouical base of the
company, and soecifically
to create a fram.-work for nroduct design.
0 To provide a scientific advisory service in its
widest asoects.
In order to do this in any comnany it is necessary
to maintain
an aooropriatc level of research work.
d) To provide a contribution to the strategic
planning and develop-
went of the company and to do so if necessary
beyond its tobacco
interests.
4. a) The main function of R & 0 in an operating
company must be to serve
the immediate interests of that particular
company.
b) In the case of B-A.T. (UK), the main function
of R 0 is to serve
the Group and to assist, advise and encourage the
R 0 function
in any operating ccmpany.
-S'. It was emhasised that the ne-.1 product
develooment facility at J.
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Southamoton will not detract from the total Group
research effort
but will in fact comolement it. CO
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6. Two papers on Research Planning were discussed.
The expansion of Cr%
Research Planninq was seen as potentially
valuable, and a number of
13 ATCO document for Province of BritiSh Columbia
9 November 1999


7. The application of technological forccasting
was discussed, with
special reference to the techniques of Delphi and
morphological analysis.
S. The increasino complexity of product
development will require a
re-appraisal of the various functions involved,
such as Leaf. Blending,
Analytical, Research & Development, 6tc., and
better integration will
be necessary.
9. No simple formula exists to decide on R & 0
expenditure but this
should at least match that of the competition.
10. It vias recoqnised that R & D could and should
provide_a source of
recruitrwnt for other positions within the
company.
It was agreed that, if and when total cigarette
consumption declined,
great opportunities for supplying the demands of
other socially acceptable
habits could follaw. Discussion fol-lowed on those
opportunitie:; which
miaht arise. Amongst those discussed were a)
chewing products, and b)
viet snuff. It was felt that this whole area, much
of which is already
in the tobacco industry, should be examined more
thoroughly. Particular
attention should be Oven to buccal administration
of nicotine and other
physiologically active ingredients. At the same
time. it was re-affirred
that we would not contein -late the incorporation
of nicotine in edible
products.
12. The current position on artificial smoking
materials (S14) was reviewed.
in additien to those already familiar
manufacturers, AMCEL, IDL and
Courtaulds, it was stated that BASF are known to
be interested and
probably involved with Reentsma.
13.
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14. The subject of composition disclosure, by
AMCEL, was considered.
The formal agreement proposed to B-A.T. for this
purpose by A11CEL is
cOmPlex, and in view of this, before any
associated comnany required
disclosure of composition. it would be helpful if
Millbank were informed.
15. The grouo pclicy on the introduction 'of this
type of material was
noted; i.e., that we should be technically ready
to move quickly in
this area should it be decided to do so and it was
re-affirr4d that no
non-tobacco material would be used without a
demonstrable advantage on
health Qrounds over tobacco or reconstituted
tobacco.
16. It now appears likely that AMICEL will build a
full-scale plant, and
the news of their interest in this field will
probably break before
the end of 1970.
17. The latest CYTREL variant is now under test at
H.C.I., and also by
d-
Wynder. in both cases, results are expected to be
publishe in 1972
(late) or early 1973.
18. Tile addition of nicotine to SH was
considered, and it was recomicnded
that nicotine ner se, should not be used inside
any t6bacco factory.
However, high nicotine content tobacco extract
might be-added. So
long as SI-11 remains a blend constituent, it
would not be considered
desirable for the supplier to include nicotine in
the formulation.
Nevertheless, for nurposes, of laboratory
experirmntation under suitable
controls, nicotine-containing materials offered by
suooliers may be
used. There are indications (from laboratory
werkers who have been
in contact with it) that the side-stream smoke of
CYTREL is noticeably
irritant and unpleasant.
The unusual smoke particle size distribution noted
in Southampton,
on smoPing CYTREL. is potentially very important.
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19. The Canadian situation with regard to
reconstitution was outlined.
The current biolocicd] testing programm
information is not sufficiently cc
far advanced to dravi a firm conclusion on the
relative biolooical
activity of PCL and PRT. I'levertheless, it is
considered unlikely
that PRT will or--ve to be more active
biologically than PCL.
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20. B-A.T. will investigate the provision.
possibly with Wig-gins-Teape,
of a development/production unit for PRT as part
of a much wider study
aired at the provision of modified tobacco based
smokino materials.
This is based on the view that such materials will
be used increasingly.
beyond wasta utilization requircrents, in future
snoking- products.
21. It was recoanised that the oolicy of excluding
additives from PCL
could now reasonably be modified to allo,.4 minor
proportions of binders
approved by the AGP.
22. It was noted with interest that German
regulations currently oermit
up to 201. sheet in the blend, and that the sheet
itself irust contain
in excess of 751. tobacco.
,3. Before reconstitution requires the
developm,.nt of high nicotine gro-wths,
we should, through research, appreciate the
significance of any other
alkaioids.
24. It was agreed that Canada could, with benefit
to the Grcup explore
growing tobaccos specifically developed for use in
reconstitution,
with particular reference to nicotine content.
25. Chemical and physical leaf properties are
often identified by leaf
buyers with a useful degree of accuracy, and
Canada's oroposed investioa-
tion of the approach adooted by ITG was vielcomed.
26. The question of research on leaf tobacco
should be re-examined to see
if opportunities for useful additional work do
exist.
27. The present status of the ALT project in
Australia was reviewed, and
its application to a wider range of grades
mentioned. Consumer reacticr.
was mixed, and obviously blend-dependent.
28. R & D E reported that tests on the saffples of
freeze dried tobacco
available have so far shotin that in cigarettes:
a) there is a reduction in the ratio of benzpyrene
to TPH.
b) there is a chancie in smke taste detectable by
WOODROSE at 10 - 25%
incorporation; lot-ter "imoact' and hicher
"irritation" nere indicated.
c) there is also sere indication of hot collapse,
and the aroma
chanoon ar- i-4-4 t,, I-
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d) With 25. incorporation, -TPM delivery would be
lowered appreciably.
but the effect on the ratio 'of benzpyrene to TPH
would not be
important.
29. The position on the Reynolds puffed tobacco
process was reported.
The expansion achieved is about 90% with
flue-cured lamina, and 65%
with burley. 110t COllaDse is not noticeable at
101. incorporation.
The position with re spect to fluorine residues is
still unde;
investigation. Whether the Group has all the FP1
ability it needs
is not clear as there is a conflict between FP1
utilisation and the
rate of combustion. The use of burn retardants can
be envisaced,
and the whole area is one where careful
investication of all aspects
should be continued.
30. Wit), the developmnt of lighter weight
cir!arettes it would be desirable I
I I
to re-establish c--thods for measurina
hot-collanse, and considering
methods to reredy this. R & D E Southampton will
be asked to under-
take tJiis initially.
31. The patent position on pauer filters is now
confused. This area will
not be free of patents in the USA in 1971 as
previously expected. An
atterm-t will be cade to clarify the position in
other countries.
32. Considerable progress has been made on water
filters using the ice-ball
technique. Develoorent work to production level
~aill continue at
Southamoton. This offers an important contribution
to selective
filtration, particularly for vapour phase
comporents.
33. It was noted that while Vantage is showing
sor.Le success, Pinnacle
with a similar filter (but reversed) has been
withdrawn from the market.
The Vantaqe (SCS) filter does not infringe the
single-pass patent in
the U.S.A., but it =-y do so else-.-here. Such a
possibility should be
examined by individual companies in countries such
as Canada and the cc
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UK. Attention was drawn to the "hourglass" filter
which is similar N-)
but cheaper than the SCS filter.
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34. The Chc-::kp-rboard developrent was descri."-d
up to the test market
positim. As far- as can be judged at present, the
swoke chemistry
is similar to that obtained by other ventilation
techniques, but
this pzxticular appreach is considered to be an
attractive develop-
ment ard one wrhich may be taken further by
modification of the filter.
35. Examin-m:ion of coupetition cigarettes an a
constituent (e.g. extractable
nicotire) per puff basis may enable brands to be
grouped in such a way
as to saggest gans in the market not revealed in a
sinle connarison
on a ';er cigarette" basis. This might be a
useful. way to identify
market-:5q opportuni ties.
'5. The C=adian exercise in analysinq competition
leaf buying laid the
basis ---ar matchino a commetition blend.
Intrinsically there is little
new in this approach and the Canadian example was
simplUied because
of the ane product position of the comoetitor.
'.ut it is considered
worth-;&fle examining the possibility of handling
more complex situations
using rdvanced computer techniques.
37. It vias reported that, when the WOODROSE
procedure was apDlied to
Vantace and Winston, it nave similar profiles
despite differences in
filtr-a--ion efficiency, TN., and other smoke
components. This rray
sugges: that Reynolds are using a technioue
similar to 1400DROSE and
aiming at a common pattern in their products.
38. The pr:ftlem of assessing cor.=rcial brands of
cigarettes could perhaus
be overcome by employing the highly developed
senses of the blind.
This is being considered by the Canadian company.
Another approach used in Australia and in Canada,
lies in maskino the
brands under test by over-tipping on the Manuela.
_39. R. & D.E. will be requested to draw up for
circulation a draft list
of a13 relevant features for which new products
should be checked,
regarzTess of t~e primary aim of the particular
development. The
list W include, for example, puff-by-puff
deliveries of various smoke
constituents, spotting, and so on.
4 fl. Snnth.-=tnn am invPqtinatinn nval r iza rt,
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41. There is an important prioblem in improving
the flavor character-
istics of low TPH cigarettes. This can be
approached in two ways';
by cigarette design factors (e.g., ventilation and
tobacco distri-
bution), and by flavour factors. These flavour
factors can be
directly affected by the blend or by added
flavourants. The
contribution to be expected from R & 0 E
Southampton, at least for a
year or so,. is limited largely to design factors.
It was reconnended
that other laboratories should with some urgency
investigate particularly
the leaf and added flavourant aspects. In addition
to attempts to
provide the traditional flavour of hin.her TRI
oroducts, entirelY new
flavours should be developed both by leaf blend
changes and by the
use of added flavourants.
4 _ The reduction in Germany of TPII vields in the
last eight years has
more than comaensated for the rise in per capita
consu;nrtion of
cigarcttcs.
43% A general discussion was held on so-called tar
diets. B-A.T. policy
is that in those countries where league tables are
proposed or published,
they should be neither opposed nor supported. The
industry should
however press for the sensible classification of
different types of
smoking article, for example, small cigars. At
present the effect of
cigarette design factors on smoking behaviour is
not knonn; this will
be explored at Southampton.
44. The problem of small cigars in Canada was
discussed with reference
to the likelihood of TP14 publications. This was
considered to be
a problem for the Canadian industry.
45. Vapour phase masurements may well be called
for in the U.S.A. in
1971. The constituents to be reasured will
probably be carbon
monoxide, hvdrogeg cyanide, and acrolein. The Horn
report is exoected
in 1970.
46. Responses ti a vapoUr phase situation include
the water filter,
Duolita and charcoal filters, and possibly zinc
oxide or zinc acetate
filters. Codinations of these and other filters,
hicher porosity
papers, and ventilation of both or either of the
filter and the
-iqarette are oth-r nn-;qihi1iti-
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47. The 1:.Z. odor/taint problem was discussed at
lenoth, and samoles of
taintcd cicarettes circulated. Comparable
experience was recorded
by several present: In Germany a similar taint had
emanated from the
foil-tissue. It was suggested that the odor was
characteristic of
mould on board.
The meeting further agreed that odour tests on
incoming materials
should be recormnded to the group as a whole.
Details of the
German and SCL tests will be sent to R & D
Millbank for circulation.
48. There was a general review of all the relevant
work in the field of
smoking and health.
In view of some evidence that Schweitzer material
may not necessarily
conforn. precisely to the desired formulation, the
product will be
rigorously examined to ensure conformity with
specification before
incorporation in Janus Progranne.
Schweitzer sheet will be madde, Janus Exoeriment
810 will be performed
on the new basis, and Experiment B6/7 will be
terminated at 120 weeks.
The mrits of a synthetic control in the Janus
programm will be
considered further with a view to maintaining a
continuing point of
reference.
50. After a full discussion of all aspects of the
procedures involved
the Conference agreed that it should keep abreast
of all develop-
ments in the field of inhalation studies. It is
not intended to enter
this field at present, but as and when suitable
techniques become
available experi=ntal work will begin immediately.
51. The possibility that nicotine may be
inmilicated in the aetiology of
cardiovascular disease -was discussed; close
attention will be paid
to develoomnts at'Harrouate and Huntingdon.
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52. It was agreed that insufficient work is being
done on those benefits
perceived by the consumer, and that psychological
and pharmacological
studies should he initiated, both at industry and
group level, to
identify the consumers' needs.
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53. It was aqreed that the possible involvement of
inorganic fibres in
lung disease should be kept under constant
scrutiny-
54. The importance of cartoon monoxide was
re-affirmed and it was suggested
that carbon monox4de should be "monitored on a
recular basis. Efforts
to reduce carbon =noxide both by de!Ogn and by
filtration, should
continue, although success by the latter method
seems unlikely.
5 S. Work should continte on the residues from
Phostoxin treatment and
the results of this work published if they appear
to be sufficiently
important.
56. A recomn-endation is to be made to Leaf
Department (Mil lbank) that they
should establish an appropriate working party
including representatives
from R & 0 to look into the efficacy of
disinfestation procedures, with
emphasis an their costs and safety.
57. R & D(Millbank) will list approved pesticides,
and pesticide residue
determinations will be performed ir. the most
anoropriate Group laboratory.
58. It was reported fr3n Germany that the lavi was
having a good effect in
reducing pesticide residues, but infestation
problems. were increasing
as a result.
Equal emphasis and imortance should be given on
the one hand to-aards
directing R 5 0 resources to satisfying those
needs perceived by the
smoker, and on the other towards providing
cigarettes of lower bio-
logical activity.
60. The study of smoking behavioural patterns
could lead to the identifica-
tion of market seg;znts, for which cigarettes
could well be desioned.
A possible approach would be the use of panels who
conformed to that
particular pattern.
61. The Conference viclcmxd the Martet Pesearch
(Millbank) paper, and
several of the poinzs made will be discussed and
developed further
in 11illbank.
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62. The irprovem-nt in Group procedures wiO
respect to patents should
be continuod. In addition to ihe circulation of
inforration from
Millbank, operatinq company R & 0 denartments
should make themselves
awara of patents Qranted and should scrutinise
group patents to make
sure that onoortunities are not overlooked.
63. The recent arranqement to circularise R & 0
departments with infor-
nation fed into Millbank on approaches from
outside inventors was
welcoped, and some imnroverents suggested.
64. The use of the U.K. Provisional Patent system,
and the rapid
publication of patents in some countries appears
on i~nurrjcr of
occasions to have alerted cor.-vetitors and to
have r.^sulted in the
weakening of the B-A.T. patent structure. This
will be dealt with by
careful consideration at the Provisional stace. In
future, all patentable
inventions should be considered, with other
potential li~ensors, in
addition to tobacco manufacturers, in mind. It is
Mely that the
SCS filter was developed after the issue of the
sinole-pass Datcnt.
65. It would be desirable to circulate throuqh R &
0 denartimnts actual
samoles of innovations in Dackaging.
66. In addition to information conveyed throunh
norrel channels, it
would be helpful if chanqes in k 0 organisation
were advised directly
to the main R & 0 departments.
67. It is undesirable for the results of partially
completed projects
to be handed to visitors to laboratories. R & D
product as a general
rule should be conveyed only in formal reports
through the apprcoriate
channels.
68. As far as visitors from outside the G-A.T.
Group are concerned soire
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clarification is required as to the release of
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on certain toAcs. DO
fi9. When visits are made from one laboratory in
the aroup to another,
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70. It was agreed that this series of conferences
had been cf great value
the the conference had enlarged and an attempt was
being made to cover
too wide a span. It was decided that the next
meeting should be
restricted to the laboratory nanagers and would be
in Germany, about
February or March. The host company would provide
the Chairman and
the meetings would be attended by the Manager --
Research Planning
(Dr. Fordyce). The object of the meting would be
to plan in more
detail the implenentation of the approved
laboratory oroarar-res "in the
light of Group policy and recormndaticns arising
from Group R & D
conferences. It is envisacied that less frequently
there will be
further Group conferences concerned entirely with
Group R & D policy
strategy.
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BATCo document for Province of British Columbia 9
November 1999