In the discussion of NTMs I the question was raised whether it was known if the U.K. smokers perceived the NTM cigarettes as safer. Since Peer Special is still on the market it may be possible to determine the perception of this cigarette by the smokers who are continuing to smoke the product. This will be raised in Millbank. The aim of a smaller scale entry to PRT will still be pursued and possible alternatives are being considered from an examination of existing plant. Australia have a requirement for reconstituted tobacco with the same or better filling power than tobacco.
Processes are available at Schweitzer for the reduction of nitrate in sheet.
Possibly microbiological processes are used by some manufacturers but other means such as extraction or dialysis may well be used. In the discussion on filling power it was again emphasised that, largely as a result of the strong interaction.between moisture content and temperature with filling value measurement, it was not feasible to use continuous measurements as a means of process control. In other contexts, the use of filling value measurement of samples taken prior to cigarette manufacture can, of course,, have considerable merit. The use of expanded tobacco, low and high porosity cigarette tissue, with and without perforations, and the control of burn rate creates opportunities in more flexible design and underlines the need to continue to develop the scope of the Total Product Design concept. Considerable interest exists in the Dumbel I and HEE filters, and in the near future German staff will visit Southampton to discuss further these developments.