Abstract: A method of designing a target combustible tobacco product, the method comprising receiving respective values for a plurality of input parameters (101); calculating respective values for a plurality of design parameters (130) for the combustible tobacco product based on the received values for the plurality of input parameters, and providing the calculated values as an output. The plurality of design parameters comprise at least two parameters selected from: a tobacco blend composition; tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide deliveries; a smoke sensory attribute; a number of puffs associated with the combustible tobacco product; combustible tobacco product dimensions; tobacco weight; tobacco rod and/or filter density; tobacco rod and/or filter firmness; open and/or closed combustible tobacco product pressure drop; filter pressure drop; cigarette paper porosity; and ventilation level.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for classifying a tobacco sample of a particular tobacco type into one of a predefined set of taste categories for that tobacco type. The method comprises acquiring mass spectrometry data from the tobacco sample; identifying from the acquired mass spectrometry data a plurality of chemical components and their respective content levels within the tobacco sample; and assigning the tobacco sample to one of the predefined set of taste categories for that tobacco type based on the plurality of chemical components and their respective content levels identified within the tobacco sample, using a statistical multivariate regression model that represents a relationship between the chemical components and the taste categories.