Research Papers on Product design
Research Papers on Smoking Behaviors

Policy Effects on Cigarette Design, Emissions & Behavior
PI – Richard J. O’Connor, PhD

Richard OConnor Phd

 A collaboration of scientists from Roswell Park Cancer institute as well as  CDC Tobacco Analysis  assess how cigarette design and smoke chemistries change in relationship to policies and how product modifications alter smokers’ perceptions, behaviors, and exposures.

This Project help establish the first international repository of selected popular cigarette brands, representative of different emission levels, is in accordance with internationally recognized product archive protocols, starting with the six countries represented in Projects 1 and 2. In collaboration with scientists at CDC, we will characterize samples from those packs on features such as tobacco weight, tobacco blend, filter weight, filter type, filter ventilation, and pressure drop.

This study will also assess smoke chemistries, including:
tar
nicotine
carbon monoxide
free nicotine
levels of tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs) in smoke, and
levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in smoke

As a specific aim, we plan to evaluate how the European Unionís (EU) newly-implemented regulations to reduce cigarette emissions to less than 10 mg tar, 1 mg of nicotine, and 10 parts per million of carbon monoxide (CO) has resulted in changes in design and smoke chemistries over time by comparing selected cigarette brands before and after the policy. Furthermore, we will link survey responses from Projects 1 and 2 for those who report smoking the brands that undergo CDC testing to assess differences in awareness, perceptions, and behavior.

The Lab

Richard O’Connor Phd

Monarch cigarette Low Ignition Propensity (LIP) strip measurements. LIP strips are being phased in state by state and country bu country as a possible way to lower the number of fires caused by smoking.

Filter ventilation is measured from the filter tip. Barley visible vent holes are shown.

vent testing of pressure drop

Cigarette ventilation is measured using a cigarette ventilation and pressure drop testing machine.

Tobaco is weighed using a scale.

This project will help to characterize samples from these and other packs from around the world on features such as tobacco weight,tobacco blend, filter weight, Other characteristics investigated include filter type, filter ventilation, and pressure drop.

As a specific aims: To evaluate how the European Unions (EU) newly-implemented regulations to reduce cigarette emissions to less than 10 mg tar, 1 mg of nicotine, and 10 parts per million of carbon monoxide (CO) has resulted in changes in design and smoke chemistries over time by comparing selected cigarette brands before and after the policy.