225 



I think R.J. Re3niolds, Philip Morris, I believe Lorillard does, I 

 can't be certain of that. And Brown & Williamson does. I don't 

 know about — I believe American does as well. I don't know about 

 Liggett. 



Mr. Kreidler. Very good. Thank you. Does B&W have any pat- 

 ents on the use of either of these ingredients in tobacco as to the 

 best of your knowledge? 



Mr. Sandefur. I'll have to get back to you, Congressman, on 

 that. I don't know the answer to that question. I assume we do, but 

 I can't be sure of that. 



Mr. Kreidler. Dr. Kessler also presented an excerpt from a to- 

 bacco company document that stated that "ammonia can liberate 

 free nicotine from the blend" and that it "is associated with an in- 

 crease in impact and satisfaction reported by smokers." 



Does B&W use ammonia compounds to increase nicotine transfer 

 efficiency, or nicotine impact, or satisfaction, in any of its ciga- 

 rettes. 



Mr. Sandefur. It's my understanding and, again, I'm not a sci- 

 entist, I'm giving you a laymen's view and I will be more than 

 happy in you will give me a question to ask my scientists to give 

 you a written answer. 



But it is my understanding that ammonia does have the ability 

 to provide for free nicotine but it is further my understanding that 

 no more nicotine is absorbed in the smoker than it is if the nicotine 

 is bound. There is a free and bound nicotine. Again, I am getting 

 in way over my head because I don't know what I'm talking about 

 to tell you the truth. I'm giving you what my understanding of it 

 is. 



Mr. Kreidler. Do you know if B&W uses urea or any other com- 

 pounds for that purpose? 



Mr. Sandefur. I believe that we use ammonia, and one of the 

 characteristics of ammonia is that it provides an ability to make 

 sure that the smoke is more full-bodied and also reduces irritation. 



Mr. Kreidler. I'm curious, do you know if B&W has done re- 

 search on methods to increase nicotine transfer efficiency or nico- 

 tine impact in any of their cigarettes? 



Mr. Sandefur. If we have done that, you have the studies. I am 

 confident that our people have complied with the request of the 

 committee. 



Mr. Kreidler. Other than Y-1 or methods of increasing nicotine 

 transfer efficiency, does your company use any technology to con- 

 trol or manipulate nicotine levels? 



Mr. Sandefur. If I might, I have a great deal of trouble with the 

 word manipulation because, in my terminology, that implies that 

 we are spiking cigarettes, so that's my interpretation of it. I can 

 tell you that we have to have quality control of both tar and nico- 

 tine in order to meet the FTC requirements, that we have to state 

 what the tar and nicotine deliveries are on each and every cigarette 

 that we sell. We are required by law to do that. 



Mr. Kreidler. I guess I go back and I think about that, that was 

 part of the testimony that we have had before the committee, but 

 that would still mean, whether you use the word "manipulate," 

 that you at least intend to have some degree of consistency. 



