Abstract: The present invention is directed to improvements in carbonaceous fuel elements wherein (a) the fuel elements are provided with a composite support member which assists in retaining the fuel element within the cigarette structure during smoking, and (b) the fuel elements burn at a lower average temperature than previously known carbonaceous fuel elements. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fuel element comprises at least two different materials contiguous throughout the length thereof, and including one material which burns, and another material which preferably does not burn, or burns more slowly than the burnable material. The non-burning, or substantially non-burning material is advantageously a heat exchange material such as graphite.

Abstract: Cigarettes have a tobacco rod including smokable material circumscribed by a paper wrapper. The paper wrapper includes a cellulosic base web (e.g., flax and/or wood pulp fibers) and particles of at least one inorganic filler material. The inorganic filler material includes calcium sulfate, and normally fibers of calcium sulfate having an aspect ratio of about 30.

Abstract: Disclosed are smoking articles, such as cigarettes, which include a short, i.e., about 9 mm long carbonaceous fuel element positioned in a heat exchange relationship with a physically separate aerosol generating means. Surrounding the fuel element is a tobacco/glass insulating wrapper, preferably comprising at least four layers, defined from the periphery of the fuel element as: (1) a first layer of glass fibers; (2) a first tobacco-containing sheet; (3) a second layer of glass fibers, and (4) a second tobacco-containing sheet.

Abstract: A cigarette comprises a blend of tobacco materials. The blend includes volume expanded flue-cured tobacco cut filler and a reconstituted tobacco material in cut filler form. The reconstituted tobacco material includes calcium carbonate and tobacco parts which are formed into a sheet-like shape using a papermaking process. The cigarette can include a filter element provided from a non-woven polypropylene web, glycerin and a water soluble tobacco extract. Such a cigarette can generate low levels of visible sidestream smoke.

Abstract: A smoking article includes a short, combustible, carbonaceous fuel element in a heat exchange relationship with a substrate carrying glycerin, tobacco extract, and a portion of an essential oil gland bearing plant. For example, fragments of cinnamon bark, lovage root, chamomile flowers or cardamon physically separate from the fuel element provide for a controlled release of a flavor profile during use of the smoking article. Heat provided by the burning fuel element acts to release essential oils from the glands to provide a complex flavor and aroma profile. The smoking article is capable of providing the user with many of the pleasures of smoking by heating but not necessarily burning tobacco.

Abstract: Cigarettes having high nicotine content tobacco cut filler are rendered smooth smoking and palatable by incorporating an organic acid additive therein. For example, a cigarette having a cut filler with a blend nicotine content of greater than 2 percent has at least one organic acid additive incorporated into the cigarette in an amount of greater than 1 percent. Smooth smoking cigarettes yielding good tobacco taste and minimal off-taste are provided when the majority of the organic acid additive is levulinic acid. The levulinic acid can be in a dissociated and/or nondissociated form. For cigarettes having filter elements, at least a portion of the levulinic acid can be present in the filter element. Alternatively, cigarettes can have at least a portion of the levulinic acid provided in the form of nicotine levulinate.

Abstract: Cigarettes having incorporated therein a salt such as nicotine levulinate exhibit low FTC "tar" to nicotine ratios while (i) having a smooth, palatable, flavorful taste, and (ii) providing smoking satisfaction to the user. The cigarettes do not exhibit a harsh or irritating character; and do not exhibit a non-tobacco or off-taste.