Smoking and Tobacco Control Monograph No. 7 
Rickert and Robinson (1981, p. 401) emphasize that 
even if compensation [changes in smoking patterns to increase 
smoke intake per cigarette] did not occur, it is likely that 
smoking machine parameters fixed about 20 [years] ago no 
longer represent the average smoker, who probably takes 
puffs of more than 45 mL every 40 s instead of a 35-mL 
puff every 58 s. 
There are harmful substances in tobacco and tobacco smoke other than 
tar, nicotine, and CO. These include hydrogen cyanide (HCN), acrolein, total 
aldehyde, and tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs). Levels of some of these 
harmful substances in low-tar and low-nicotine cigarettes probably differ 
among brands and may also differ within brands when cigarettes are smoked 
differently. 
Smoking patterns may be influenced by factors other than nicotine 
dependence. Pomerleau and Pomerleau (1984) pointed out that there is 
substantial evidence that many cigarettes are smoked for reasons other than 
to receive nicotine. They cite research indicating that smoking patterns are 
influenced in part by environmental situations, emotions, personality, and 
motivation. 
Robinson and coworkers (1983) found that smoking compensation 
behaviors may lead to disproportionate increases in CO and HCN when 
smokers switch to low-nicotine cigarettes. 
Thus, research over the past 15 years has created multiple arenas within 
which scientists and policymakers may reexamine the accuracy and relevance 
of the FTC testing method and, if necessary, redesign it. 
PARAMETERS OF 
THE FTC TEST 
METHOD AND 
CURRENT SMOKING 
PATTERNS 
The current FTC test method is based on four parameters: 
puff frequency (every 60 seconds), puff volume (35 mL), 
puff duration (2 seconds), and a butt length that varies with 
cigarette type. Darrall (1988) noted that these parameters 
were set as long ago as 1936 and were not based on observed 
smoking patterns. For individual smokers, puff volume has been reported to 
range from 23 mL to 60 mL; puff duration is known to vary from 0.8 seconds 
to 3.0 seconds. Typically, butt length is set at 23 mm, or filter and overwrap 
plus 3 mm, whichever is longer; however, the FTC reported that, for 135 of 
176 brands tested, butt length was more than 30 mm (Kozlowski, 1981). 
Cigarette design has undergone significant change over the past several 
decades. Cigarette manufacturers can influence yields of tar, nicotine, and 
other substances through changes in wrapping paper porosity; tobacco 
packing density; and filter-related factors such as ventilation, particulate 
matter retention, and pressure drop. Benowitz and colleagues (1983) noted 
that delivery of tobacco substances also may be influenced by how fast the 
paper burns because this may determine how long a cigarette is smoked. 
Study results indicate substantial differences in yields when I'l'C test method 
[)arameters are varied ( Fable 1 ). 
250 
