IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO TOBACCO PRODUCTS

Abstract: The smoking of tobacco products such as cigarettes results in the production of carcinogenic compounds formed from nitrogen and carbon. The addition of small quantities of zinc oxide or ferric oxide to the tobacco reduces or eliminates these carcinogenic compounds and also has the advantage of removing the stale "after taste" associated with cigarettes.

Description: Title: Improvements in and relating to tobacco products The present invention relates to tobacco products. It has been well established for many years that the smoking of tobacco products is a primary cause of lung cancer. It is the nitrogen/carbon compounds which are produced by combustion of the tobacco in a tobacco product such as a cigarette and which are inhaled which are the cancer forming agents. Nitrogen and carbon combine to form, for example, pyridenes which are carcinogenous. The present invention seeks to provide an improved form of tobacco product. The term "tobacco" used herein includes not only tobacco but also other substances and tobacco-like substances which may be smoked. Accordingly, the present invention provides a mixture comprising tobacco and at least one substance selected from iron and zinc compounds of the type that are reduced to iron or zinc respectively on exposure to high temperatures. Under the conditions existing in the combustion area of a tobacco product which is being smoked, such as a cigarette, incorporating for example ferric oxide in particulate form, the ferric oxide is reduced to iron. In this state immediately after reduction the iron is pure and highly reactive, dissociating water vapour into hydrogen and oxygen and also causing the preferential combination of nitrogen with hydrogen, rather than with oxygen and carbon, to form ammonia in trace quantities which vapourise. Thus the combination of nitrogen and carbon to form, for example, pyridenes is reduced if not eliminated. The use alternatively or additionally of zinc oxide produces a similar effect and increases the nicotine yield in the resulting smoke. Apart from the reduction or elimination of the carcinogenous products of smoking, the addition of ferric oxide and/or zinc oxide also has the unexpected effect of removing the less desirable "taste" or "after taste" aspects of the tobacco products. It will be appreciated that only minute quantities of ferric oxide and/or zince oxide are required and, since this compound is an inert, non-toxic, naturally occuring compound which is available in considerable quantities the addition of ferric oxide and/or zinc oxide does not in itself promote any harmful after effects. The most effective way of mixing the zinc oxide in ferric oxide with tobacco is to form the zinc oxide or ferric oxide in solution in e.g. water and spray the solution onto the tobacco. As the tobacco dries, the zinc oxide or ferric oxide is left as a deposit on the tobacco.

Claims: - A - Claims : 1. A mixture comprising tobacco and at least one substance selected from iron and zinc compounds of the type that are reduced to iron and zinc respectively on exposure to high temperatures. 2. A mixture as claimed in claim 1 wherein said iron compound is ferric oxide. 3. A mixture as claimed in claim 1 wherein said zinc compound is zinc oxide. 4. A tobacco product containing the mixture of claim 1, 2 or 3. 5. A tobacco product as claimed in claim 4 wherein said product is a cigarette. 6. A tobacco product as claimed in claim . wherein said product is a cigar.

Inventors: AYRE RICHARD GEOFFREY, HARDY LEONARD RHYS, AYRE, RICHARD, GEOFFREY, HARDY, LEONARD, RHYS
Applicants: AYRE RICHARD GEOFFREY, RHYS HARDY LEONARD, AYRE, RICHARD, GEOFFREY, HARDY, LEONARD, RHYS
Application year: 1986
Main classification: A24B15
IPC codes: A24B15