GROUP RESEARCH CONFERENCE
Montreal '1'976
Dr. S. J. Green
Dr. I. W. Hughes
Dr. R. A. Sanford
Herr. B. Sottort
Dr. P. Seeborer
Mr. R. M. Gibb
Mr. R. S. Wade
Mr. S. Candlish
Dr. C. J. P. de Siquelra
Mr. I. D. Burin
Mr. R. G. Nicholls
Dr. D. G. Felton
Dr. F. Haslam
Dr. Green outlined the objectives or the Conference:
namely to advise the Tobacco Division of B-AT with special
reference to the forthcoming Not Springs conference on
a)- Assumptions ro r Div1slonal planning in the field of
Smoking and Health
b) Research and development programmes necessary to
achieve Divisional plans in the key areas of Smoking
and Health, Innovation and Tobacco.
C) The disposition and Organisation of Divisional R & D
resources - in particular the role of Tobacco Division
H. Q. , R & D and the roles of R A D in Associated
Companies
d) On matters relevant to R & D which require resolution
at the Hot Springs Conference CJO
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and to
e) consider any other matter relevant to Divisional R D
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2. The Tobacco Division Board planning papers on the
following subjects were reviewed in detail
a) Smoking and Health
b) Development of Products and Technology
C) Production facilities
It was felt that the following points had not been adequately covered:-
1) Although nicotine will be con sidered by some doctors
to be less harmful than tar, there will be increasing
recognition by some medical authorities that smoking is a
nicotine dependent activity. This will, in part, condition
attitudes to nicotine.
1i) There will be an increasing tendency to associate
specific smoke constituents with particular diseases.
iii) Although medical authorities will continue to advise
smokers not to inhale, they will not be inclined to press
for any specific developments such as products designed to
limit inhalation.
iv) Other than the sectors presently involved, the chemical
industry is now expected to sit on the fence in relation to
the introduction of new smoking materials. ICI and Celanese,
on the other hand, are expected to seek avenues for a more
agressive approach.
V) Product modifications will be seen by the anti-smokers
as an indication of increasing success, but a body of
responsible practical doctors will recognise this as progress
in the direction they desire.
vi) In the foreseeable future, we shall be able to achieve,
with all tobacco cigarettes, all that can be done with C-0
CX:)
substitutes in smoking and health terms.
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vii) Although no sudden breakthrough is envisaged to solve
the smoking and health problem, scientific research will
give rise to products seen to be healthier by some
authorities
viii) There is a requirement for more work on the effects
of smoking, in order that any benefits may be identified.
This applies particularly in the social and psychological
fields.
ix) We must learn how to make ethical and sound health
claims.
X) More effort should be devoted to nicotine, its analogues
and the identified important chemical substances in cigarette.
smoke. There is a good case for carrying out short term
inhalation studies on nicotine for comnarison with tobacco,
and possibly for the development bf very low nicotine cigar-
ettes for the identified susceptible minority.
xi) Consideration should be given to the problems arising
from passive smoking.
xii) It was felt that there was a need to plan activity in
the following areas in order to meet with the requirements
of the planning documents:-
a) Clear and responsible statements on the case in favotrr
of smoking
b) Efforts to meet requirements for growing leaf with
modified chemical composition
c) Resea.rch generally into additives and flavours
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3. On the smoking and health front in the USA, Gori now
regards the current flush of low delivery products in the
I mg to 5 mg of tar range as a major step forward and
possibly largely solving the problem.
A programme of work costing $28 x 10 6 over five years
is now proposed, which will approve certain 'backbone'
additives or flavours and which can be safely applied to low
delivery extracted and expanded tobacco cigarettes.
Manufacturers will then be free to compete with top dressing
flavours on such basic products.
4. Passive smoking attitudes are a growing serious problem
in the U.S. with many State Bills at present under discussion
aimed at limiting smoking in public places. In an effort to
counter this, Stanford University has accepted a contract to
develop means of measuring the levels of pollution, from
cigarette smoking, in the environment. Similar problems are
developing in Canada and Germany.
In Canada, the Agricultural department of the Government
.has a project on hand, using short term tests, to devise a
safer cigarette. This project will examine, amongst others,
cigarettes containing Cytrel, Aar sheet, Schweitzer sheet,
but not NSII.
6. Both in Germany and in Australia, Government pressure
Is moving to require more smoke constituents to be -eported,
possibly on the packet. In addition to tar, nicotine, carbon
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Monoxide and nitri c oxide; nitrosamines, pesticides and CC)
aromatic noivcvelic hydrocarbons are being discussed.
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Switzerland has seen the first attempts to combine a number
of such determinations into a single factor and league
table. Although no attempt has been made to weight the
various measured compounds, the technique is regarded as iLn
effective means of others controlling cigarette products
and may well spread to other countries.
7. Moves towards smoking and health legislation 'in Brazil
are expected in mid-1976. This is likely to follow the U.
and German pattern and the industry is expected to concede
warnings on products in due course.
S. B-AT has given notice of its opposition to the proposed
U.K. order, which would bring substitutes and additives to
cigarettes under the control of the Medicines Act. This
opposition is likely to be successful in the short term, but
control of tobacco products by law is anticipated within
about two years.
9. Counsels opinion on liability with regard to the
marketing of cigarettes and substitutes was reviewed and
three points highlighted :-
a) Consideration should be given to changing the wording
of warnings on cigarette packs.
b) B-AT should tahe reasonable steps to protect its
position for the future, regardless of the outcome of
scientific work.
c) B-AT should set up a panel of independent advisers in
the medical/scientific field. Conference members were asked co
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to put forward names of suitable people of international
repute who could be approached. -@j
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10. The need was identified for a central Mi 1 lb ank
advisory service on smoking and health matters, which was
capable of fairly rapid reaction to enquiries and was as
broad and anticipatory in its approach-as that developed by
the Group's North American competitors. Companies were
asked to set out in detail their requirements in this field.
11. Considerable interest was shown in the product development
activities of R & D Southampton and it wasr agreed that 2. four
monthly review would be prepared and circulated
12. It is the view of the Conference that the Group should
continue to support the decision taken at 1.1erano to report
carbon monoxide delivery internally in mg per cigarette,
where this is possible.
13. It was agreed that, for the future, consideration would
be given to the inclusion of studies related to cardio-
vascular diseam among the objectives of Life Sciences.
The progress of short term inhalation work-in Southampton
was reviewed and the success of the developed techniques in
achieving an adequate doze of smoke to the lung contrasted
with the lack of success of previous workers in this field.
It was reported that the technique and equipment were in
considerable demand from both our competitors and co-workers.
Publication of the details of the technique was going ahead.
it was felt that the development had delayed the progress of
KSM through the UK Hunter Committee Stage III procedure by
highlighting shortcomings of the methods used in long term co
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inhalation studies by 1CI.
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25. In order to satisfy U.S. opinion, in particular the
Feinstein committee, it was emphasised that any observed
changes in 'lung pathology arising from sbort/long term
inhalation work must be confirmed as non reversible to have
any credence in these circles.
16. In considering the programme of future work in life
sciences, it was felt that the immediate need was to
delineate the extremes of product change which could be
affected, particularly in the design of low. delivery
cigarettes, e.g. ventilation, expansion and high efficiency
'filtration.
17. Although it can be argued that the existence of the
Hunter Committee and its requirements in the U.K. probably
delineates the legal and ethical requirements which would
need to be met in other countries, it was reported that this
view was not necessarily in line with all opinion, in tbe,
U.S., for example.
is. The role and future of the Group Biological Research
Committee was critically reviewed. It was agreed that in
addition to the discussions which take place at the Group
Research Conference, the Directors of Research or their
representatives will nee at Southampton at lease once a
year, in order to play a more active part in the resolving
of priorities and cost,@ for the life sciences programme and
obtaining wide commitment to the planned work, particularly
on the part of No. 11s. co
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19. The proposed cross-over experiment was discussed.
This is aimed at resolving wbether the switch from all
tobacco cigarettes to those containing substitutes by
consumers would result in increased risks of lung cancer.
Current understanding of the development of -cancers suggests
that two steps, initiation and promotion, are necessary and
are developed by different chemical substances. There is
concern to ensure that although smoke from substitutes is low
in initiation potential, it could be higher than tobacco
smoke in promotor activity and that, therefore, a combination
of the two in sequence could be undesirable. It was agreed
that this risk exists and. it cannot be resolved without an
experiment of the type tabled, but full committment to
carrying out the test could not be obtained. Meanwhile, the
results of a TRC cross-over experiment, using cigarette and
cigar tobaccos, would be awaited with interest.
20. In Germany, a switching experiment is being carried out
by Schiefelbein on the cardio vascular effects and
compensation reactions of human smokers switching from high
to low delivery cigarettes and vice versa.
21. The possible centralisation of whort term tests such as
NMFI, sebaceous gland, cycteine index, hyperplasia, inhalation
promotion and the Ames mutagenicity test was proposed.
However, it was finally agreed that with the possible
exception of NMFI , these tests do not transfer easily or
quickly and that, therefore, the most appropriate course of
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in which they are currently set up.
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22. The work in B & W on developing non combustible
cigarette fillers is now complete. In order to keep the
options on non tobacco smoking materials, which are available
to the B-AT Group, as open as possible and to maintain a
competitive position, it was felt that the development of
non combustible filler should continue, at least in the
short term. No strong case could be made for capital
investment in semi-commercial plant at this stage.
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23. The current view on competitive tobacco substitutes is
that NSM is more acceptable than Cytrel in biological terms
apart from its high carbon monoxide delivery. One, if not
both, of these materials are currently being market researched
in the U.K.
24. The Glory Mill plant will go into the commercial
production of PRT for IED in September 1976. A basis for
agreement on the patent position has been'discussed with
Schweitzer. This involves cross-licencing of patents. In
Brazil, a careful study is being made of the various
.alternatives which are available relating to the construction
of a large scale plant. In development work, an exercise is
currently on hand to design a small 500 tons per annum plant
for smaller companies. This will not necessarily be based
on the Foudrinier type machine.
25. Germany is currently experimenting with a sheet produced
by Schweitzer containing 20% chalk and 5% wood pulp. This is a CO
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cheaper product with attractive commercial possibilities.
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26. There is still considerable lack of understanding on
the reaction of smokers to products with changed characteristics.
People tend to try to- take more smoke from low delivery products
over s.hort periods of time, but their response over longer
acclimatisation is not clear. Similarly confusing results
have been obtained on the response of smokers to cigarettes'
of widely variable pressure drops, compared with more closely
controlled products.
27. With the continuing development of low. delivery
cigarette brands, a pressing need for the development of high
efficiency filters with good taste properties was very clearly
identified.
28. Attempts should be made to move away from the current
ad hoc approach to flavour development, particularly in terms
of the development of flavours for low delivery cigarettes.
Scientific methods need to be developed for the identification
and comparison of flavouring materials.
29. The availability of high porosity cigarette paper in
various countries for the production of low delivery
cigarettes was reviewed. Progress in the manufacture of such
papers is particularly advanced in the U.K. and Europe. It
was agreed that similar developments should be encouraged on
the part of the Group's suppliers elsewhere in the world.
Papers of high natural porosity are required to facilitate
the production of low carbon monoxide cigarettes. co
30. It was noted that Philip Morris is reported to be
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that this could be aimed either at dealing with infestation
or possibly ageing problems. The problem of ageing could be
investigated in the operating environment.
31. Professor Dreys of Munich has reported that for many
natural products, it is possible to isolate a very small
number of chemical constituents which are responsible for
the characteristic flavour. If these view are confirmed,
they could represent a breakthrough of some considerable
magnitude and of importance in the tobacco field.
32. Energy considerations are a growing concern in the
industry. R & D Southampton are now completing an energy
audit as an example of the approach which could be more
widely adopted. The energy requirements of PCL plant have
been identified in Canada as a growing cost item and heat
recovery techniques are proving invaluable in controlling
costs in this and other processing systems.
33. It is still regarded as necessary to continue the
development of selective filters (for NO for example). The
question of re-entering the field of CO filtration was also
raised. This is recognised as a topic with only a very small
chance of success, because of clearly recognised technical
problems and no decision was taken to pursue this objective.
34. Now that sensitive acute animal inhalation tests are
available to B-AT exclusively and require a much shorter time C=
for completion than previous animal tests, it is clear that
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these procedures could be used in conjunction with product 0-N
development without the introduction of unacceptable delays. t-J-4
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The use of these procedures in this way could give the
Division considerable competitive advantage in the short
term.
35. The current state of development of the 0/.WP technique
was reviewed. Its use in product matching in South Africa
and Mexico and as an aid to blending is of particular
interest to the Australian company. The close similarity
of Prince and Marlboro results was highlighted. It was felt
that the technique still required considerable technical
skill in its execution and interpretation and could suffer
seriously from misuse. For the present, therefore, it is
-not proposed to attempt t@-ansfers to the testing laboratories.
36. Inter-l&boratory standardisation of test methods and
results presents many problems. Where it is necessary to
agree with Government authorities and compet itors at a
national level, it is recommended that regular meetings be
arranged at bench worker level to resolve discrepancies and
differences in procedure.
37.' Burn rate and puff number control is a continuing
necessity, particularly in the U.S. GR & DC are studying
the problem by an examination of cigarette combustion
interlinked with cigarette paper design and additives.
38, The GR & DC approach to total product design of
cigarettes and the development of minimum cost products was
described and plans for future development discussed. co
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39. It was agreed that a review and circulation of infurnia-
tioa on the transfer of nicotine from tobacco to smoke was
necessary. It is also felt that such a review would
indicate that profitable work could be carried out on the'
improvement of the efficiency of this process.
40. Work at present in progress in GR & DC tentatively
indicates that the carbon monoxide delivery from different
samples of tobacco can vary quite widely. These variations
were not necessarily in line with the tobacco grading, but
could indicate that the selection of tobacco to be used in
the design of low CO brands might well prove valuable.
41. The measured CO delivery of cigarettes can vary markedly
and it was, therefore, agreed that a defensive publication
would be prepared on this subject for use in dealings with
health authorities when league tables are being proposed.
42. Coated carbon is now available in sufficient quantity
for market research to be carried out on low carbon off-
taste filters. It is not likely that any agreements will be
entered into with Smith and Nephew, the suppliers, at this
stage.
43. Attention was drawn to the filter introduced on the
brand Flint in Switzerland. This contains silica gel. it
has been found that fine particles are discharged from the
filter and ingested by the smoker during smoking. This is
seen as unacceptable and will be drawn to the attention of CO
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Philip Morris in private discussions. NJ
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44. The progress of polypropylene filter development was
reviewed. Bridon have sought agreement to approach
Cigarette Components in the U.K. with the development and
this has been agreed. In the B-AT Group, consideration is
being given to the use of polypropylene tow in the Far East,
South America and by I ED.
45. In discussing the aims and objectives of the GR DC
Process and Engineering Group, a number of clear lines for
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future work were identified
a) Process studies, particularly as they relate to the
effects of process variables on product characteristics
as seen in the longer term and to process innovation.
b) Pre-production studies and development of new machinery.
C) Product control for the future, i.e. TPM, nicotine, CO,
NO, etc.
d) A review of drying practices and the level of control
achieved.
d) The examination of the primary process possibly from the
botanists point of view.
46. The Australian company is now going ahead with the G13
process. It is also considering the use of vacuum drying
and the removal of solubles from stem in the cigarettes.
47. The Group still do not envisage the need of G13 for
filling power improvement other than in Australia, because of
cost and royalty considerations. The use of G13 can be seen CO
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in tile context of low delivery cigarettes. On marketing and
oualitv orounds. it m2v now be seen as n nroduct imorovement.
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48. Mr. T. G. Mitchell will visit Montreal shortly to
discuss microbiological control problems. The opportunity
will also be taken to discuss a programme of work for GR & DC
on the use of enzymes in the improvement of cigarette
properties.
49. Serious and expensive problems still occur with tobacco
developing moulds due to faulty storage conditions and greater
care, together with a better understanding of the problem,
is called for.
So. The proposed EEC limits on pesticide residues in tobacco
were reviewed. These will present control requirements for
the future of those companies exporting tobacco and tobacco
products to Europe. In Australia, cur rent levels are much
higher than any anticipated legislation could envisage.
Efforts will need to be initiated to reduce the contamination
in advance of any foreseen Government activity.
5 1. The Group's 'need for further research on tobacco growing
was reviewed. Work will be put in hand in Brazil on pre-
harvest curing, particularly as related to Burley tobacco.
Other suggested activities were
a) the development of tobaccos having enhanced flavour
characteristics as identif iid by O/WP (pyrazines and
indoles) .
b) the growing of tobacco of improved physical properties
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c) the development of'tobaccos specifically for low delivery CXD
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52. In the U.S., Becker is expected to report that
glycoproteins in tobacco can cause allergic reactions
possibly both in the smoker and the passive smoker. This
suggestion will be carefully examined, since it could give
rise to a serious threat, if proven;
53. One further threat to the industry which is now
developing concerns the objections by local authorities to
the odours attributed to tobacco factories. This problem
is a live issue in a number of countries and work is going
on in -all of them, including the U.K. , to find a solution.
Complaints can arise on smells both outside and inside
factory premises.
54. Many workers in sophisticated laboratories in the Group
are now using advanced scientific equipment which can be of
interest to their colleagues in other locations. It has
been agreed that the performance of such equipment will be
critically reviewed in future for the benefit of those who
could be interested.
.56. At the end of the Conference, the R & D aims and
objectives were re-examined in the light of the discussions
which had taken place. A number of conclusions were drawn.--
a) The Life Sciences programme should allow for a more
aggressive approach towards the development of products.
The aims should allow the provision of an informat-on service ---
and it should be made clear that all studies should be clearly
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relevant to the human situation.
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b) Smoking materials effort is concerned with making agreed and
soundly based options available to the Group and it would be
valuable to include some indication of the time scales
involved.
c) The aim of the field of work on interaction of smoke and
the smoker was reworded to be more clear and direct, viz.
To establish in objective terms why People smoke, how
they smoke, and the effect of-product characteristics
on smoker response in order that preferred cigarettes
may be designed.
.d) Product design aims were restated as
To advance the technical knowledge which is necessary
to combine the components of cigarettes to produce
predictable effects.
e) In the process and engineering development field, it
was agreed that a longer range approach should be developed
and the processing side particularly emphasized, although
not to the exclusion of all machinery development. The aim
was re-written as
To pursue long range developments in tobacco and filter
processing and handling techniques so as to establish
both methods and guidelines whereby the quality of the
product can be improved, tobacco used more efficiently,
greater control exercised over the prec@ arged product
and economic reductions realised. co
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56. A revised policy for patents was put forward. In this,
the aim would be to recover costs from users and beneficiaries
wherever possible, the moneys involved would be returned to
the inventors. Companies would then be free to patent where
and wben they wished. In terms of licences, the first. option
should be to the operating company; coupled with some
reasonable lead time. Where third parties were licensed, the
fee should not be lower than that charged to a B-AT associate.
A drawback of this proposal was identified as a possible
increase in secrecy within operating companies.
57. Club research as a method of operation was discussed in
detail. It was concluded that this system would be
practicable, but only in the case of large scale projects
and special cases such as the PRT-71 exercise. Operated on
a wide scale, it could give rise to an increase in research
costs.
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-Items marked with an asterisk are suggested as suitable for raising ,_,
at the forthcoming Hot Springs Conference. C7%
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