RESTRICTED
NOTES ON GROUP RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE
SYDNEY, MARCH 1978
S.
C.
I.
S.
J.
D.
W.
R.
R.
E.
R.
F.
C.
R.
T.
J. Green
I. Ayres
D. Burin
M. Candlish
G. Esterle
G. Felton
B. Fordyce
M. Gibb
G. Nicholls
Rittershaus
A. Sanford
Seehofer
J. P. de Siqueira
S. Wade
I. Wilson
Mr. P.M.Denton was present for the discussion of
some of the items related to product development.
1. There has been no change in the scientific
basis for the
case against smoking. Additional evidence of
smoke-dose
related incidence of some diseases associated with
smoking
has been published. But generally this has long
ceased
to be an area for scientific controversy. Against
this
background members were concerned that the
approach by
ICOSI, outlined by Dr. Felton, seemed to imply
that
research solutions should no longer be sought for
smoking products and that, if adopted, the ICOSI
programme would drain resources from
scientifically
useful areas of product modification into areas of
dubious or no scientific value. The meeting
affirmed
that cigarettes acceptable on all counts can
probably be
achieved by research and, indeed, may in fact be
available.
The ICOSI concern to replicate the established
multiple
aetiology for some diseases seems of particularly
little
value. Nevertheless, passive smoking research on
the
ICOSI proposals could provide useful material in
discuss-
ions with authorities.
2. There is an advantage in funding work by
medical scientists
and if the Tobacco Research Council ceases to be
effective
then some of the funding might be diverted in this
direction.
3. Recent developments related to the Hunter
Committee were
discussed and particular attention was paid to the
situation
with regard to cocoa as an additive to.cigarettes.
It was
recommended that we should iiot invest in a major
programme
on the bioassay*of cocoa and this should be raised
with the
CAC. The information from the Lokstedt experiments
will
be searched for additional information on the
effects of
cocoa, and all members will continue to seek and
examine
substitutes for cocoa.
Contd.",
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4. Control of odour from factories continues to be
important.
5. It is clear that in many countries there is
concern over
the level of nitrosamines in foodstuffs. This
explains
in part the sensitivity to the presence of
nitrosamines
in tobacco, smoke and, perhaps particularly, the
levels
in sidestream smoke. The latter is a potential
threat
to the currently held view by many authorities
that
passive smoking does not constitute a direct
hazard.
6. Attention continues to be drawn to carbon
monoxide but
it is of interest to note that Astrup has
withdrawn his
claim that carbon monoxide is a major factor in
the
development of atherosclerosis.
7. A report on the meeting in February with their
medical
consultants will be circulated from Hamburg.
8. The.two themes being contemplated for future
work by the
Verband are the beneficial effects of nicotine as
a drug,
and a study of blood and urine levels of specified
constituents to explore the degree-of compensation
by
cigarette smokers.
9. In Germany a consumer report (Stiftung
waren'test,, which
is partly funded by the Government) is expected in
Autumn 1978. This will draw attention to the
levels of
condensate, nicotine, carbon monoxide and nitric
oxide.
It is also known that the authorities are
interested in
a nitrosamine index and a polycyclic hydrocarbon
index,
but it is unlikely that these will appear in 1978.
4 10. Professor Schm&hl has spoken against tax
increases as
these potentially lead to an increase in
roll-your-own
cigarettes or smoking to short butt-lengths.
11. In Brazil a bill has been passed which would
allow tar,
nicotine and carbon monoxide to be measured and
published
or but it is likely to take three years for the
necessary
regulations to be promulgated.
12. From the extensive discussion on the current
and projected
league-table situation, attention was drawn to the
pressure
on the tolerances associated with the analytical
methods.
13. It was suggested that. in general, BAT is slow
in trans-
ferring results from R.& D. into a practice. For
example,
BAT was aware of the importance of ventilation in
products
in the late 1960s which is as early or perhaps
earlier
than the major competition companies. Yet ten
years
later there is pressure for crash programmes
because
BAT is said to be behind in the market place. -
'14. The conference 'on smoking behaviour at
Chelwood in Autumn
1977 was considered to be highly successful and
thought
should be given to similar ventures in the future.
One
theme suggested was the significant changes in the
smoking
product over the last ten years.
Contd.
C-
C,\
\10
C-,
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15. It was recognised that it is essential to
maintain our
own bio-research facilities as part of the total
research
programme. In view of this integration, a separate
committee to consider the biological programme is
no
longer necessary.
16. As far as the scientific programme is
concerned, the
appointment of consultant medical and scientific
experts
would be welcomed. The position is obviously less
clear-cut when all considerations are taken into
account.
17. A view from Southampton, together with a note
published
by I.C.I. toxicologists which urged caution in the
application of the Ames test, was circulated. It
was
agreed that the German laboratory would examine by
the
sebaceous gland test the series of samples which
is
currently being submitted to the Ames test in
Canada.
18. It was confirmed that the measurement of
specific
activities is important, although in the later
stages
of product development activity per cigarette will
continue to receive the major consideration.
19. There is need to continue to monitor work in
the area of
nicotine analogues and substitutes for nicotine.
Our
own direct work is small but, in essence, the
limiting
factor is good ideas, and suggestions based upon
reliable
evidence would be welcomed by Southampton staff.
20. In the discussion of cigarettes with ultra-low
smoke
deliveries it was pointed out that despite the
semi-
endorsement enjoyed currently by this type of
product,
many members of the anti-smoking faction are
against
smoking per se. Consequently, we should expect, in
due
course, an attack on this type of product as
witnessed
by some of the recent moves with regard to
non-tobacco
smoking materials.
21. Marketing opportunities will exist for
cigarettes which
are designed to replace the 'I mg. cigarette'.
Innovation
on taste, tighter control of deliveries which may
include
a wider range of specified compounds, and improved
control
of the physical properties of the cigarette, will
obviously
require attention. The pressure to retain s-moking
satisfaction may require more attention to be paid
to the
puff-by-puff delivery profile of the cigarette and
perhaps
the use of alternative active materials to augment
or
replace nicotine. A worthwhile aim is to modify
the
quality of sidestream smoke, and it should be
remembered
that governments can produce markets by endorsing
a
particular aspect of the cigarettev e.g.9 charcoal
filters.
22. Celanese have approached BAT with the
suggestion that there
could be mutual-benefit in pooling some aspects of
research.
Providing certain legal aspects can be satisfied,
Celanese
representatives will visit Southampton in April
for
exploratory discussions.
C -
C:::)
0 N
Contd. \0
01 \
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4
23. In a somewhat similar manner, Bayer are
seeking to
collaborate with B.A.T. Germany and further
discussions
will take place.
24. It is important that central research
laboratories
continue to investigate new filter concepts, even
if
the immediate market which is available is
unlikely
to be large.
25. There was an extensive discussion of the audit
of the
Southampton research programme and the
constructive
criticisms were welcomed. Some of the issues
raised
were clarified and resolved but it was
acknowledged that
the programme of process and engineering research
had
consisted largely of important but short-term
projects
and lacked longer-term cohesive themes. The new
programme was outlined and, basically, this will
be
concerned first with the effects of process
conditions
on the quality of cigarettes and then with a
normative
approach of processing to innovative concepts for
the
1980s. One form of an extruded cigarette was
outlined
which might be considered.
26. The production needs for higher efficiencies
in secondary
manufacture, coupled with primary process
automatic control
systems, were emphasised and it will be considered
whether
the process control staff at.Southampton can
contribute
in this area.
27. With conventional cigarettes, the transfer of
nicotine to
the smoker from the tobacco has very low
efficiency.
Potentially, therefore, opportunities exist for
very big
savings in tobacco if this low efficiency can be
greatly
increased.
28. The work of the staff, particularly those in
Southampton,
benefit greatly from much more personal'contact
with
overseas staff, including those in functions other
than
R & D. It was agreed that it was desirable to
raise
at the Production Conference the need to involve
much
more the staff from G.R.& D.C. with production
problems
in the main operating companies.
29. Strong approval was expressed for the role of
R & D in
machinery development and testing. Whilst
emphasising
that factory testing is more appropriate in some
circumstances, machinery involving new principles
should
normally be tested first in an R & D environment.
30.
31.
There is still interest in the annular cigarette
construct-
ion, and staff from Germany will visit Southampton
in a
few months to discuss the progression of this
work.
The current position 'on G-13 and DIET processes
was outlined.
Work in Australia indicates that the incorporation
of
expanded tobacco gives a product development
advantage.
Contd.
c7 N
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32. In the discussion of NTMs. the question was
raised
whether it was known if the U.K. smokers perceived
the NTM cigarettes as safer. Since Peer Special is
still on the market it may be possible to
determine the
perception of this cigarette by the smokers who
are
continuing to smoke the product. This will be
raised
in Millbank.
33. When the current stage in the development of
BATFLAKE is
completed direct work in the NTM area will be
limited.
It is important, however, to maintain o.ur
interest in
NTMs, e.g., the German contact with Bayer.
34. The meeting was informed that it had been
decided to stop
further work on the particular design of a
simplified PRT''.
machine as it appears technically no longer
feasible.
The aim of a smaller scale entry to PRT will still
be
pursued and possible alternatives are being
considered
from an examination of existing plant. Australia
have
a requirement for reconstituted tobacco with the
same or
better filling power than tobacco.
35. Processes are available at Schweitzer for the
reduction
of nitrate in sheet. Possibly microbiological
processes
are used by some manufacturers but other means
such as
extraction or dialysis may well be used.
36. In the discussion on filling power it was
again emphasised
that, largely as a result of the strong
interaction between
moisture content and temperature with filling
value
measurement, it was not feasible to use continuous
measurements as a means of process control. In
other
contexts,ithe use of filling value measurement of
samples
taken prior to cigarette manufacture can, of
course, have
considerable merit.
37. The use of expanded tobacco, low and high
porosity
cigarette tissue, with and without perforations,
and
the control of burn rate creates opportunities in
more
flexible design and underlines the need to
continue to
develop the scope of the Total Product Design
concept.
38. Considerable interest exists in the Dumbell
and HEE filters,
and in the near future German staff will visit
Southampton
to discuss further these developments. It was
emphasised
that the-position with regard to non-wrapped
acetate
supplies should be established now in countries
interested
in spin-moulded filters and we should not wait
until the
filters are finally developed.
39. Southampton staff will examine whether the
coated carbon
filter can be used effectively as a means of
producing a
mentholated cigarette with a carbon filter.
Contd.
CD
0-
__.j
110
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40. Consideration of a further conference on the
use of the
oil-water partition technique will be given when
the
results from the analytical cross-check arranged
at the
last conference are available.
41. From the discussion on flavours it was clear
that all
laboratories are now paying increased attention to
this
aspect of the cigarette. It was again asked that
we
should establish at G.R.& D.C. the information
required
for an effective means of obtaining a
nicotine-rich,
and preferably flavour-rich extract from waste
tobacco.
In a different area of flavour work, it was agreed
that
we should attempt to determine the reasons behind
the
reduction by WHO in the acceptable level of
menthol.
42. It was agreed that insufficient research on
leaf is being
undertaken. The survey carried out during the year
on
past leaf-treatments did not yield information
useful
to the formulation of an expanded programme. An
experiment has been planned, however, in which
tobacco
specially grown by E.L.T. will be used in an
attempt to
relate differences in-flavour potential, as
recognised
by leaf experts, with differences in the
diterpenes
present in the green leaves prior to curing.
43. To make substantial progress, however, it was
agreed that
if possible the R & D facilities in Brazil should
be
brought to bear on the needs of the Group R & D
programme.
Several aspects of a potential programme were
discussed
and the details will be settled between R & D
Brazil and
R & D Millbank. One possible topic for examination
is
the degree to which changes in cultural practice
can
widen the ratio of nicotine to nitric oxide in the
smoke
from Burley tobacco.
44. The 1977 U.S. Virginia crop will give rise to
severe
problems with cigarette spotting. It was suggested
that further explorations were required to
determine the
best way of incorporating this type of tobacco.
45. In the discussion on patents the importance
was stressed
of keeping the Centre informed about patent
submissions
made by the BAT Group members. Also in addition to
monitoring the expiry dates of key patents held by
the
opposition, it was suggested that a detailed
examination
of patent activity can sometimes give advance
warning of
product changes in the market place.
46. Cigarettes of substantially reduced biological
activity
(SRBA) can be made by product modification and
will
continue to present a range of marketing
opportunities.
By SRBA is meant cigarettes where epidemiology
would
show no greater incidence of disease for smokers
than
non-smokers. But there remains a need for credible
biological tests to facilitate developments.
Credibil-
ity will continually evolve but could be provided
by
outside independent medical and scientific advice.
Contd.
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As indicated in Note 1. we may already have an
SRBA cigarette and it may be worth studying
epidemiologically the current smokers of low tar
products over the next decade. But until this
evidence is available alternative products should
be developed. To do this, research must provide
a continuing basis for cigarette formulation and
design for related process needs and better under-
standing of smokers' behaviour. Defensive research
will need to be provided for as far ahead as can
be
seen and this may well include social aspects.
47. Currently BAT Group spends about half that of
Reynolds
and P.M. on R & D and if we are to maintain even
this
position and still compete effectively expenditure
should
be increased at the same rate as our competition,
and
our selection of'projects must be more effective
than
the competition.
48. As the 1979 Group R & D Conference will be
held in the
U.K. it is not necessary to appoint auditors of
the
Southampton programme. A representative from most,
if not all, of the major overseas companies should
be
able to attend a presentation of the Southampton
programme and possibly other programmes. The
Conference
could then follow in a modified - probably smaller
form.
I will put forward firm proposals before the end
of the
year.
SJG:NW
6 th April 1978
CI),
BATCO document for Province of BritiSh COlUmbia 5
NOVOMber 1999