Abstract: Smoking articles in the form of a smoking material rod enclosed with a filter means by a paper wrapper are described wherein the density of the smoking material is in a range of from about 100 mg cm.sup.-3 to about 260 mg cm.sup.-3. The smoking material contains at least 20% by weight of expanded tobacco while the filter means has a filtration efficiency less than about 45% for removal of particulate matter. Ventilation means is operable to provide a ventilation level of at least 30%. Smoking articles in accordance with the disclosure exhibit acceptable mainstream smoke over the whole of the smoking process, i.e., there is less perception of an increase in mainstream smoke temperature.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of lap joining pieces of tobacco in which the said pieces are placed in overlapping relationship and the overlapping portions are adhered to each other, without using extraneous adhesive, by the application to them of pressure and/or rapid heating. Pressure may be applied between rollers or between jaws, particularly the jaws of an electrical impulse-heating machine. In this case, the overlapping portions lap joined by the rapid application of heat and pressure may be cooled while still held between the said jaws. Prior or subsequent to lap joining, a consolidating agent may be applied to end portions of the tobacco pieces.