Abstract: A smoking article includes at least one strip of heat conducting material extending from one end of the tobacco rod of a smoking article to the opposite end of the tobacco rod. Preferably, the strip of material is at the interface between the tobacco rod and the cigarette paper and extends substantially from the lighting end of the tobacco column to at or near the attachment of a filter to the tobacco column.

Abstract: Extruded smokable material is provided by extruding a moist mixture of divided tobacco and a binding agent which includes locust bean gum and xanthan gum. The mixture is subjected to temperatures about 80.degree. C. during extrusion such that this binding agent components are solubilized and the binding agent is activated. The adhesive character of the binding agent is believed to be provided by heat initiated inter polymer chain associations between the component binders. The tobacco material and binding agent mixture is extruded above the temperature at which the activated agent forms a gel. The extrudated is cooled and the binding agent forms a gel, resulting in a resilient smokable material.