The document discusses the challenges and considerations in developing methods for testing cigar products, particularly regarding smoke constituents. Key topics include sample storage, preparation for smoking, data analysis, and the variability introduced by flavored products and non-standard design elements. Conclusions highlight the need for standardized methods and controls due to the diverse nature of cigar smoking experiences and product variations.

1. Challenges and considerations for
methods development and testing of
cigar products for smoke constituents
beyond TNCO
TAYYARAH R.; STEVENS R.; ZHU J.; BROOKS C.;
Rana.Tayyarah@itgbrands.com CORESTA 2017 ST04

2. Topics
• Sample Storage & Conditioning
• Preparation for smoking
• Smoking
• Data analysis
2

3. Sample Storage & Conditioning
• Cross Contamination from highly flavored products
– Attempt to obtain or build small one-way airflow chambers
• Conditioning requirements are straightforward but vary
• Flavored products may not reach equilibrium adding
variability due to judgment decision-making
3

4. Preparation for Smoking
4

5. Preparation for Smoking
• Non-symetrical mouth-ends cause judgment with cutting
• Diameter determination for non-cylindrical products
• No standards for mouth-end cutting
• Wrapper fall off
5

6. 6

7. Non-Cylindrical Mouth End (ME)
7
Puff Ct TPM Tar Nicotine CO Water
/cigar mg/cig mg/cig mg/cig mg/cig mg/cig
Tipped Avg 37.4 41.6 39.2 1.5 57.4 1.0
%RSD 13 23 22 30 14 106
No-Tip Avg 32.7 30.4 29.0 1.0 46.4 0.4
%RSD 15 36 36 43 28 199
n=7

8. Wrapper fall off during ME cutting
8
Adjusted mouth-end cutting distance from the Standard to
avoid disturbing the wrapper

9. Puff Volume Determination (mL/puff)
From CRM 65:
9
Determination* Sample 1 Sample 2
Lab 1 63 mL 75 mL
Lab 2 56 65
Lab 3 49 63
*As determined by different testing labs testing the same product batches
Possible Causes for
Differences:
• Measurement error
• Product variability
• Technique used
• Calculation error

10. Choice of Cigar Holder
• In progress CORESTA technical guides will help
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11. Lab References/Controls
• Product yields and designs are highly varied
• There are no standard references or controls
Possible Current Options
• Spiking of matrix with analytes to determine recoveries
• Set of references
• Cigarette references
11

12. Smoking
12

13. Lighting Technique
High number of relights, non-symetrical burn patterns, need for
non-standard lighting
• CORESTA Project 148 is exploring alternative lighting techniques
• Recent release of larger electric lighter elements
13

14. Ash build-up smothers coals
14

15. Long Smoke Times - Volatiles
• Puff counts may be >200
• Impinger size and volume
• Impinger chilling
• Derivitization times
– Too long
– As a variable between products
• Overload
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16. Smoke Formaldehyde
16
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
A B C D E F
µg/cigarFormaldehyde
n=7, error bars = 1stdev
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
A B C D E F
/cigar
Tar (mg)
Puff Ct
CO (mg)
A
B
C
D
E
F

17. Lab Comparison – Smoke Formaldehyde
17
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
A B C D E F
µg/cigar
Lab 1
Lab 2
Lab 3
n=7, error bars = 1stdev

18. Will lighting technique influence analytes?
• Additional testing needed for methods validation work
• If there is an influence and no standards, there will be
bias between labs
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19. Butane Gas Contamination Check for VOC
• None Noted
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Note: Butane Lighter – BIC USA Inc, USA –Lot number 7033060006
Note: Procedure – 1 mL MeOH in 2 mL amber GC vial, then 1 mL butane gas was added with 1 mL Luer Lock syringe and vortex mixed
prior to analysis. (n=3)
4x10
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
+ TIC SIM VO0004.d
12 23 34 45 56
Counts vs. Acquisition Time (min)
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
4x10
0.
0.
0.
0.
1
1.
1.
1.
1.
2
2.
2.
+ TIC SIM VO0011.d
12
Counts vs. Acquisition Time (min)
3.4 3.6 3.8 4 4.2 4.4 4.6 4.8 5 5.2 5.4 5.6 5.8 6 6.2 6.4 6.6 6.8

20. Data Analysis
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21. Reporting Units for Comparison Work
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22. Conclusions
• There are many basic considerations for testing cigar smoking
– Smoking difficulties especially with limited smoking experience
– Product variety & variability
– Data analysis for analytical comparison
• There are several unique challenges for methods development
beyond TNCO
– Long and/or varied smoking times
– Lighting techniques
– Lack of controls/reference products
– Possible overload of analyte traps
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