In some instances, the invention relates to the cigarette wrapper, such as by increasing paper permeability or placing layers of paper with flavor additives in between to improve odor. Patents Identified With Innovations to Reduce the Visibility of Cigarette Smoke All of the patents identified nevertheless that made claims to improve cigarette smoke visibility involved alterations or additives to the cigarette paper or wrapper material. Several patents described how reduced visibility of cigarette smoke could be achieved by altering or reducing cigarette paper filler or including a high proportion of non-combustible inorganic material to the wrapper. Paper additives listed in the identified patents included calcium carbonate, oxygen storage and donor metal oxide catalysts.

Many of the innovations to reduce the visible nature of cigarette smoke were similar to those that reduce the overall quantity of smoke, such as the inclusion of metal oxide catalysts or oxygen storage devices. Discussion The tobacco industry has continued to research and develop strategies to reduce perceptions of cigarette smoke. The inventions identified in the current study were patented by virtually all of the multinational cigarette manufacturers, suggesting that industry interest in technologies to alter the aversive qualities of SHS is broad. A range of product innovation strategies were identified, including the addition of nanoscale particles of palladium to alter combustion, fix perfumes to cigarette paper, and help mask the smell of SHS.

Although a substantial array of patented innovations was identified in this review, it is not easy to know whether these inventions have been incorporated into commercial products. It is also possible that companies file patents strategically to prevent the use of technology by commercial competitors, despite no intention of the company patent holder to actively use that technology (O��Connor et al., 2009). Table 2. Examples of Patented Innovations to Improve Smoke Odor From Cigarettes The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (2009) provides the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with the authority to regulate the design and ingredients of tobacco products. The FDA can require the disclosure of design features, ingredients or additives that may adversely impact public health and the removal of these features of additives to protect public health. Under Section 902 of the FSPTCA, a tobacco product may be deemed to be adulterated if ��contaminated by any … added deleterious substance that may render the product injurious to health.�� If the added constituents that mask SHS odor or visibility are demonstrated to be injurious to health, Anacetrapib products that employ such constituents might be considered contaminated.