Cigarette smoke condensate (CSC) processed with acetone was found to contain 2,2,6-trimethyl-4-piperidone and the cis and trans isomers of 2,6-dimethyl-4-piperidone. The compounds were found to be artifacts formed by the reaction of the smoke components ammonia and acetaldehyde with the solvent acetone. Conditions which affected the yield of the artifacts from the processed CSC include pH, temperature, reaction time, and levels of ammonia and acetaldehyde present in CSC.