B-A.T. RESEARCH AND DMLOPMENT
NOTES ON A MEETING AT ST. WES 8TH - 12TH MAY, 1970
The topics agreed for discussion were:-
Smoking and Health
Product Development
Process Development
Cost Sharing
I - The paper, 'Basis for Research on Smoking" was presented
and a modified form accepted as a basic B-A T. policy document.
2. Legislative pressure to lower TPM and nicotine is a
continuing factor and it was agreed that, in order to clarify possible
moker reaction to this pressure, each laboratory should engage in
quick, short term machine examination of the effects on deliveries
(principally TPM and nicotine) of variations in smoking parameters
Such as puff volume and butt length on examples of their high and
low tar cigarettes. This study to include possible extremes of
behaviour and be reported in the normal way. The Group would
prefer that the smoker tended to reduce, rather than Increase, his
TPM intake. The general area of the chemistry of smoke was regarded
as a more difficult problem requiring an Integrated and coordinated
approach -
3 Progress on the listing and weighting of biological tests
has progressed to the point where a list of tests has been compiled.
The work on weighting has still to be done. Gaps are still present
in the areas of whole smoke carcinogenisis, bronchitis and cardio-
vascular activity.
4 The laboratories were encouraged to follow T.S.C.'s move
into the study of the mechanisms by which cancers could be Initiated
in the lung, in co-operation with medical researchers, to give more
credence to animal tests. Although it was accepted that this presents
problems In some territories.
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S. Mr. Mitchell described the R. & D.E. microbiological
studies so far carried out indicating the poor standing in the
U.K. of B-A. T. products in terms of fungal population and the
correlation with the proportion of U.S. Leaf. He made a strong
plea for improved factory hygiene and highlighted possible dangers
in cigars, snuff and chewing tobaccos. The meeting was in
agreement.
6. The Lokstedt work on the low mouse skin activity of
Gerlach and Schweitzer reconstituted tobaccos has been an
important stop forward and will continue in the search for a safer
Product.
7. It was agreed that work in Canada on the addition of sodium
silicate to tobacco should be terminated due to concern at possible
increases in the silica delivery in smoke.
The meeting could see no reasoR why silica should be
considered a hazard to health at present levels but felt no steps
should be taken to increase it.
8 Canadian work on passive protection from non specific toxins
and the effect of cigarette smoke vapour phase on salivary and hog
pancreatic amylase will be continued; the latter to be published and
communicated, prior to publication, to Harrogate and Lokstedt.
9 The level of cadmium has been established in smoke as of
-the order of 0 - I jig. per cigarette. At this level, apart from
possible cultivation/concentration aspects, it is not regarded as a
problem.
10. It was noted that tobacco or tobacco based process
materials might be available with relatively law biological activity.
Some of the Companies represented are looking into the utilization
of such materials in their products. In screening such material,
It was suggested that It may be pertinent to conduct animal irritation
tests to insure that the product would not be found objectionable by
others on the grounds of irritancy.
The position on synthetic smoking materials. Cytrel,
Imperial Developments and Courtaulds, was reviewed. Future policy
aims to continue interest in the reallsation that advice indicating use
of these materials Is, as yet, unlikely due to taste factors unless
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there is pressure from an outside agency and the material has some
warranty or is medically endorsed.
12. The view was expressed that more attention should be paid to
sidestream smoke and its relation to smoke chemistry. Apart from
cigars, studies in Germany have shown it is not normally possible
to build up maximum allowable concentrations of carbon monoxide
and nicotine.
13. It was agreed not to proceed at present with inhalation
studies as tests for use in product development in view of the
uncertainty of results and the long time required for results to be
produced. Rather, efforts will continue towards relating animal tests
to the human situation.
14. A 25% reduction in specific mouse skin tumorigenicity of
cigarettes is now a possibility in a smokable product.
The current task of the manufacturer is to select from the
available tobacco types a blend which, when treated and combined
in a cigarette, has good consumer acceptance. A number of tobacco
based materials with lower specific activity is now available and
the problem is to replace as much of the older constituents by these
new materials as is possible, without damaging the taste.
15. It was agreed to take steps to carry out size distribution
studies on smoke aerosol by light scattering techniques at Battelle.
Although Dr. Green mentioned that it may not be possible to do this
within the present budget.
16. Mr. Wood described R. & D.E.'s work on the effect of
nitrogen feeding levels on Burley tobacco in which a four-fold
reduction in BP delivery was obtained in moving from 2.2% to 5.2%
nitrogen content. It was agreed to set up a historical survey and
field experiments on both Burley and flue-cured tobaccos to be
coordinated by Mr. Wood.
17. Upper delivery limits of 2S mg TPM and 1. 5 mg nicotine have
been set for all filter cigarettes in Germany.
18. Legal pesticide limits in Germany, at present unattainable,
are virtually zero.
19. Filters discussed included the water capsule, high
efficiency single pass types, Mach's filter, SPCA, extruded filaments co
with air bubbles, low density colloidal cellulose. The aim In this area CC)
continues to be reduced TPM deliveries, partly for league table
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20. It was also clearly recognised that the companies should be
put in a Position to have balanced vapour phase active filters on the
market and that in certain areas the competition pressure was already
strong.
21. Following discussions on brand loyalty, It was suggested
that some aspects of market research might resolve into long range
scientific problems. Market Research Department, Millbank, will
be invired to present a paper on 'Brand loyalty and acceptance" at
the next conference. It was clear that more work on the benefits
of smoking could be done. And a clearer understanding of the
mechanism of nicotine intake and pathways is needed.
22. Mr. Nicholl reviewed the present position an tobacco based
sheet -,iaterialsandtheirmanufacture- Ithasbecomeclearthat
the type of sheet, its method of manufacture and Its physical and
chemical properties have a bearing on biological test results and
various chemical indices. Present preliminary data pointed to paper
type sheets with high stem content (and lorw silica) as being most
attractive.
23. If it is decided that the company should involve itself in
the manufacture of biologically attractive tobacco based shoat
materials (which would appear to be highly desirable) than very
marked changes could be expected In the processing, harvesting,
growing and curing fields.
24. Canada will look into the biological tests they need in
their development of a sheet product aimed at the whole Canadian
market and when they will be needed. Steps will then be taken to
see what can be fixed to meet these needs.
25. Cost sharing was discussed in terms of the present situation
and it was made clear that if changes are proposed it would be
possible to re-negotiate agreements.
The present basis was spelt out, I. a - that the R. & Z).
product of all participants is available to each Company within its
country while all rights outside its country are made available to
B-A. T. or the appropriate participant. This applied to all R. & D.
product whether patented or not.
26. It was decided that co-ordination by the various means
available should continue and inter-company visits of research workers
encouraged.
27. Outside Inventors will be handled In careful and diligent CIO
fashion, where possible data being passed to Millbank. Forms of C=)
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release need to be in accord with local legislation. %Q0
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28. Next meeting to be hold in Canada in six months' time,
9th - 14th November, 1970, followed by Germany in late May,
1971.
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Present: Sir Charles Ellis
Dr. 1). G. Felton
Dr. W - B. Fordyce
Dr. S - T. Green (ChaLrman)
Dr. F. Haslam (Secretary)
Mr. L. C. Laporte
Mr. A. D. McCormick
Dr. R.A. Sanford
Dr. F. Seehofer
Herr H - Sottorf
Mr. R. S. Wade
Mr. C. Warren
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