Abstract: Smokable tobacco compositions having a reduced tendency to produce carbon monoxide and made by including in the composition an alkali-metal salt of a carboxylic acid in the range of from about 6.5 to about 20%. Such additives have been included in smoking compositions in the past, but normally in minor amounts and as burn enhancers. In accordance with the invention increased amounts result in greatly reduced production of undesirable carbon monoxide while not otherwise adversely affecting the tobacco smokable composition. At higher concentrations such additives may retard burn which may be further desirable where fast burning tobacco compositions are employed. Examples of alkali-metal salts include sodium or potassium salts of acids such as carbonic, formic, acetic, propionic, malic, lactic, glycolic, citric, tartaric, fumaric, malonic, and succinic.