471 



4,836,224 



22 



*N(M M cumplt of ibc tavcMrro*. 

 '-•Se« Ti6U t. fbotnoui I-*, r«ip«ctlvHy 

 *A*cr«ffe •«*• pH to ilw "n^wty port' mn 

 icchMqwa dd crib e d hy Hvns ct bL H^t*. 



e pH (orlha fi 



n •fiiok* of 20 ctgMcncs m dwerm m cd inlns 



10 



The data in Table V indicate that the variouj ciga- 

 rettes of this invention having high nicotine content cut 

 filler (i.e., more than 2.5 percent toul blend nicotine) 

 exhibit FTC "tar" and nicotine deliveries comparable to 

 the control cigarette. The various cigarettes also exhibit 15 

 comparable FTC "tar" to nicotine ratios and puff 

 counts. However, cigarettes of the invention (i.e.. Sam- 

 ple Nos. 14-16 which contain ievulinic acid additive) 

 exhibit reduced average smoke pH when compared lo a 

 control (i.e.. Sample No. C-6 which does not have the 20 

 Ievulinic acid additive). 



Organolepic evaluation of the samples indicates that 

 the cigarettes of the invention are smooth smoking 

 while the control sample is very harsh, the mildness of 

 Sample Nos. 15 and 16 is considered comparable. The 25 

 cigarettes of the invention yield good tobacco taste, 

 strength and smoking satisfaction. The control sample is 

 very strong, and the overpowering sensation provided 

 thereby is not satisfying. 



What is claimed is: JO 



1. A cigarette having smokable material contained in 

 a circumscribing outer wrapping material, the cigarette 

 having (i) a nicotine content greater than about 2 per- 

 cent, based on the dry weight of the smokable material, 

 and (ii) Ievulinic acid in dissociated and/or nondis- JS 

 sociated form incorporated therein in an amount greater 

 than about 1 percent, based on the dry weight of the 

 smokable material. 



2. The cigarette of claim 1 wherein the smokable 

 material is smokable cut filler material. 40 



3 The cigarette of claim 1 wherein essentially all of 

 the Ievulinic acid is in nondissociated form. 



4. The cigarette of claim 1 wherein at least a portion 

 of the Ievulinic acid is provided to the cigarette in the 

 form of nicotine levulinate. 45 



5. The cigarette of claim 1, 2, 3 or 4 having a ratio of 

 FTC "tar" to FTC nicotine of less than 7. 



6. The cigarette of claim 1, 2, 3 or 4 having a ratio of 

 FTC "tar" to PTC nicotine within the range of 3 to 6. 



7. The cigarette of claim 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the 50 

 Ievulinic acid additive is incorporated therein in an 

 amount greater than about 2 percent, based on the dry 

 weight of the smokable material. 



8. The cigarette of claim 1. 2, 3 or 4 wherein the 

 Ievulinic acid additive is incorporated therein in an 55 

 amount greater than about 3 percent, based on the dry 

 weight of the smokable material. 



9 The cigarette of claim 1 or 3 inclnding a filter 

 element, at least a portion of the Ievulinic acid being 

 present within the filter element 60 



10. A cigarette having smokable material contained in 

 a circumscribing outer wrapping material, the cigarette 

 having (i) a nicotine content greater than about 2.25 

 percent, based on the dry weight of the smokable mate- 

 rial, and (ii) Ievulinic acid in dissociated and/or nondis- 65 

 sociated form incorporated therein in an amount greater 

 than about 1 percent, based on the dry weight of the 

 smokable material. 



11. The cigarette of claim 10 wherein the smokable 

 material is smokable cut filler material. 



12. The cigarette of claim 10 wherein essentially all of 

 the Ievulinic acid is in nondissociated form. 



13. The cigarette of claim 10 wherein at least a por- 

 tion of the Ievulinic acid is provided to the cigarette n 

 the form of nicotine levulinate. 



14. The cigarette of claim 10, 11, 12, or 13 having a 

 ratio of FTC "tar" to FTC nicotine of less than 7. 



15. The cigarette of claim 10, 11, 12 or 13 having a 

 ratio of FTC "tar" to FTC nicotine within the range of 

 3lo6. 



16. The cigarette of claim 10, 11, 12 or 13 wherein the 

 organic acid additive is incorpoated therein in an 

 amount greater than about 2 percent, based on the dry 

 weight of the smokable material. 



17 The cigarette of claim 10, 11, 12 or 13 wherein the 

 organic acid additive is incorporated therein in an 

 amount greater than about 3 percent, based on the dry 

 weight of the smokable material. 



18. A cigarette of claim 10 or 12 including a filler 

 element, at least a portion of the Ievulinic acid being 

 present within the filter element. 



19. A cigarette having smokable material contained in 

 a circumscribing outer wrapping material, the cigarette 

 having (i) a nicotine content greater than about 2 5 

 percent, based on the dry weight of the smokable mate- 

 rial, and (ii) Ievulinic acid in dissociated and/or nondis- ' 

 sociated form incorporated therein in an amount greater 

 than about 1 percent, based on the dry weight of the 

 smokable material. 



20 The Cigarette of claim 19 wherein the smokable 

 material is smokable cut filler material. 



21. The cigarette of claim 19 wherein essentially all of 

 the Ievulinic acid is in nondissociated form. 



22. The cigarette of claim 19 wherein a portion of the 

 Ievulinic acid is provided to the cigarette in the form of 

 nicotine levulinate. 



23. The cigarette of claim 19, 20, 21 or 22 having a 

 ratio of FTC "tar" to FTC nicotine of less than 7. 



24. The cigarette of claim 19. 20, 21 or 22 having a 

 ratio of FTC "tar" to FTC nicotine within the range of 

 3 lo6. 



25. The cigarette of claim 19, 20, 21 or 22 wherein the 

 organic acid additive is incorporated therein in an 

 Iraoun' greater than about 2 percent, based on the dry 

 weight of the smokable material. 



26. The cigarette of claim 19. 20, 21 or 22 wherein the 

 organic acid additive is incorporated therein in an 

 amount greater than about 3 percent, based on the dry 

 weight of the smokable material. 



27. The cigarette of claim 19 or 21 including a filler 

 element, at least a portion of the Ievulinic acid being 

 piesent within the filter element. 



28. A cigarette having smokable material contained in 

 a circumscribing outer wrapping material, the cigarette 

 having (i) a nicotine content greater than about 3 per- 

 cent, based on the dry weight of the smokable material, 

 and (ii) Ievulinic acid in dissociated and/or nondis- 



