TOBACCO ADDITIVES
The industry and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) %lave
agreed on an arrangement for the industry's disclosure of several . Common I
used' flavors and casings. 'Commonly used' means by three or more
companies. An initial list will include the materials shown in Ap-midix
1. Additional materials may be added to the list.
HHS' actions upon receipt of the additives listing are nct clearly
anticipated. In the past, harassment might have been expected. Today, a
more rational response is possible; yet, optimism must be restrained sin.-e
HHS staf! is a carry over from the previous administration. Cocoa,
licorice, glycerin, and even sugar are prime candidates for their ca=ents
if they choose to harass.
Unless some change in industry attitude occurs. it is likely tne
industrv will determine its next actions after HHS reacts to the c-zrrent
submissions.
SELF-EXTINGUISHING CIGARETTE
The sell.-extinguishing cigarette is one approach suggested to diminish
the role of cigarettes in starting fires. The U.S. Bureau o! Staodards
ew*N report on preliminary method development showed that self-exzinguishment
does not necessarily lower propensity of cigarettes to ignite fla=able
materials. This changed the scope of the issue and suggested that clear
cut technical solutions are not imminent.
C@-
NZ@
(-- j
co
BATCo document for Province of British Columbia 19 April 1999

2
New federal legislation was not proposed this year, but several
bills were proposed at the state legislature level. Television
specials were aired in some large cities depicting the horrors of
fires presumably started by cigarettes.
No now scientific data has been forthcoming this year.
The issue is still viable. Legislation at either the federal or
state level is still possible.
ENVIRONMENTAL CIGARETTE SMOKE (ECS)
No epidemiological studies were reported that significantly
impacted the issue of environmental cigarette smoke and its health
affect on the nonsmoker. Literature debate continues on the merits of
previous studies. The literature did contain reports that confirm
that nonsmokers are exposed to measurable levels of ECS and do absorb
some of that smoke. The best current estimate of intakes of parti-
cular and nicotine per day by the-nonsmoker is the equivalent of
smoking somewhat less than one medium tar cigarette per day. A
seemingly encouraging result, but unlikely to quickly satisfy the
objections of antismoking activists. Their logic is that there is no
known safe level for such materials as nitrosamines, benzopyrenes, and
as yet, unidentified smoke components.
The American Society of Hosting. Refrigeration, and Air
Conditioning Engineers, has adopted standards which set ventilation
requirements for indoor smoking areas at five times more than non-
smoking areas.
C.
U-J
BATCo document for Province of British Columbia 19 April 1999

3
LESS HAZARDOUS CIGARETTES
The less hazardous cigarette concept has not gained stature this
past year. The smoker may be at less risk to suffer lung cancer as a
consequence of filtered cigarettes of the sixties rather than the very
high deliver:. plain cigarettes of the fifties. But his risk remains
higher than the nonsmoker. There is increasing commentary on the use
of faster burning cigarettes and ventilation to achieve current/low
deliveries. Both approaches are coming under scrutiny as having
little benefit in reducing health risks. The question of smoker
behavior (compensation) is now publicly debated. In the U.S., there
is no current, vocal champion of consequence of the less hazardous
cigarette.
FEDERAL PROGRAMS
The NC7. program now primarily consists of epidemiological and
behavioral studies. Both are obviously intended to either strengthen
the case against smoking or develop techniques for helping the smoker
to give up smoking.
They have requested proposals for a small (70 person) switchinS
study (high versus low tar) on which respiratory parameters, puff
profiles and blood levels of nicotine, cotinine and carboxyhemoglobin
will be measured.
cl::
BATCo document for Province of British Columbia 19 April 1999

4
They are also requesting proposals "co investigate the
pharmacological role and biological effects of nicotine related to
tobacco product carcinogenesis." This effort focuses on chronic
inhalation exposure of small animals (or humans) to cigarette smoke.
Funding for the first year will be about 1350,000.
The 1983 Surgeon General's report will focus on cardiovascular
disease.
JGE/bfw
0031w
BATCo document for Province of British Columbia 19 April 1999

5
APPENDIX I
COK40MLY USED SUBSTANCES
Alcohol
Corn Syrup
Cocoa and Cocoa Shells
Chocolate and Chocolate Flavors
Glycerine
Licorice (powder, extract, etc.)
Menthol (natural and synthetic)
Propylene Glycol
Sugar (invert, syrup. dark brown, etc.)
Vanillin
J-1
BATCo document for Province of British Columbia 19 April 1999