The Effect of Filter Ventilation on the Yield and Composition of Mainstream and Sidestream Smokes

Apparatus and procedures were developed to measure condensate, nicotine, water, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide in mainstream and sidestream smoke. These were used to determine the effect of air dilution through filter ventilation on mainstream and sidestream smoke composition. It was found that there is a gradual transition from 'puffing combustion to smoldering combustion as the amount of diluting air entering the system increases. This is directly related to the decreased puff volume at the cone and decreased amount of tobacco consumed per puff. On a per· gram of tobacco consumed basis, sidestream combustion product formation is not changed but the amounts of carbon monoxide and water in the mainstream are decreased, as ventilation increases.