Abstract: Fibrous material suitable for incorporation into filter elements of smoking articles such as cigarettes are impregnated with additives and agents such as flavorants, flavorant-enhancers and/or free radical scavengers. The fibrous material is contacted with the additive dispersed in a high pressure gas or supercritical fluid (SCF) held at elevated pressures. The high pressure gas or SCF swells the fibrous matrix and enables the additive to be incorporated within the matrix. When pressure is reduced, the gas or SCF vaporizes and leaves the additive embedded in the fiber interstices. As a result, the additive is slowly released over a finite period of time. When incorporated into a cigarette filter, the additive is released at a desired rate from the interior of the fibrous filter into the cigarette smoke.

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.