Process of reducing generation of benzo[a]pyrene during smoking

Abstract

A process for manufacturing a smoking article having reduced generation of benzo[a]pyrene during smoking thereof comprises preparing a treated tobacco by contacting a tobacco material with an extraction solvent consisting essentially of methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol or 2-propanol; and incorporating the treated tobacco in a smoking article.

1 . A process for manufacturing a smoking article having reduced generation of benzo[a]pyrene during smoking thereof comprising preparing a treated tobacco by contacting a tobacco material with an extraction solvent consisting essentially of a solvent selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol and 2-propanol, the extraction being carried out on tobacco which has not been subjected to extraction with acetone; and incorporating the treated tobacco in a smoking article.  
   
   
       2 . The process according to  claim 1  wherein the tobacco material comprises bright, burley, oriental and other tobacco lamina.  
   
   
       3 . The process according to  claim 1  wherein the tobacco material comprises flue cured tobacco lamina.  
   
   
       4 . The process according to  claim 1  wherein the contacting is carried out in a Soxhlet extractor.  
   
   
       5 . The process according to  claim 1  wherein the contacting results in a reduction in weight of the tobacco material.  
   
   
       6 . The process according to  claim 5  wherein the reduction is at least about 25%.  
   
   
       7 . The process according to  claim 5  wherein the reduction is at least about 40%.  
   
   
       8 . The process according to  claim 1  wherein the smoking article exhibits a reduction in benzo[a]pyrene in tobacco smoke of at least about 25% when the treated tobacco is pyrolyzed at 600° C. in an inert atmosphere.  
   
   
       9 . The process according to  claim 1  wherein the smoking article is a cigarette.  
   
   
       10 . The process according to  claim 1  wherein the contacting removes benzo[a]pyrene precursors.  
   
   
       11 . A smoking article comprising the treated tobacco produced according to the process of  claim 1 .  
   
   
       12 . A cigarette comprising the treated tobacco produced according to the process of  claim 1 .  
   
   
       13 . The smoking article of  claim 11  wherein the smoking article exhibits a reduction in benzo[a]pyrene in tobacco smoke of at least about 25% when the treated tobacco is pyrolyzed at 600° C. in an inert atmosphere.  
   
   
       14 . The cigarette of  claim 12  wherein the cigarette exhibits a reduction in benzo[a]pyrene in tobacco smoke of at least about 25% when the treated tobacco is pyrolyzed at 600° C. in an inert atmosphere.  
   
   
       15 . The smoking article of  claim 11  wherein the smoking article exhibits a reduction in benzo[a]pyrene in tobacco smoke of at least about 35% when the treated tobacco is pyrolyzed at 600° C. in an inert atmosphere.  
   
   
       16 . The cigarette of  claim 12  wherein the cigarette exhibits a reduction in benzo[a]pyrene in tobacco smoke of at least about 35% when the treated tobacco is pyrolyzed at 600° C. in an inert atmosphere.  
   
   
       17 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the extraction is carried out with a solvent consisting of methanol.  
   
   
       18 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the extraction is carried out with a solvent consisting of ethanol.  
   
   
       19 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the extraction is carried out with a solvent consisting of 1-propanol.  
   
   
       20 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the extraction is carried out with a solvent consisting of 2-propanol.  
   
   
       21 . A process for producing tobacco having reduced generation of benzo[a]pyrene during smoking thereof comprising preparing a treated tobacco by contacting a tobacco material with an extraction solvent consisting essentially of a solvent selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol and 2-propanol, wherein the tobacco is not subjected to extraction with acetone.