Abstract: A smokeless lighter includes a heater sized to accommodate a smokable article such as a cigarette such that a portion of the cigarette protrudes from the lighter. The heater maintains the temperature in an internal chamber in the range of 160 to 200° C. so as to be below the ignition temperature for tobacco. An insulating jacket surrounds the heater to protect the smokers from burn injury. Circuitry may be activated manually or by insertion of a cigarette into the heater and limits operation of the heater preferably to a period of 10 to 12 minutes. Optionally, a light may be used to indicate when air is drawn through the smokeless lighter.

Abstract: Tobacco smoking mixtures capable of producing tobacco smoke are provided which reduce the cytotoxicity and/or mutagenicity of the tobacco smoke. The tobacco smoking mixtures include tobacco cut filler and glycerin in an amount effective to reduce cytotoxicity and/or mutagenicity of smoke produced by the tobacco smoking mixture. The tobacco smoking mixtures enable a further reduction in cytotoxicity and/or mutagenicity when glycerin is combined with palladium or salts of calcium and/or magnesium.

Abstract: Methods for treating tobacco which result in the reduction of selected compounds from the tobacco smoke, and corresponding smoking articles containing this treated tobacco, are disclosed. In these methods, a solution containing a palladium salt is applied to the tobacco, preferably by spraying. The palladium salt preferably contains nitrate, chloride, acetate, citrate, gluconate, or salicylate as the anion. After application of the solution, the tobacco is preferably dried in an oven, by forced air, or by natural evaporation. The palladium in the treated tobacco results in the reduction in the level of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, especially benzo(a)pyrene, from the total particulate matter in mainstream and sidestream smoke of the treated tobacco. The addition of mannitol and/or urea to the tobacco, and introduction of ventilation in a cigarette containing the treated tobacco, enhance the ability of palladium to reduce the level of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the smoke.