Firm Developing ‘Smokeless’ Cigarette : Reynolds Researching Product That Is Lit but Doesn’t Burn

A cigarette manufacturer announced today it is developing an almost smokeless cigarette that does not burn tobacco and greatly reduces the production of substances linked to health concerns.

“We think this will be the world’s cleanest cigarette,” said Edward A. Horrigan Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of the R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., at a morning news conference.

Horrigan said the product is still in the research stage. The company hopes to test market the product in a limited area in 1988.

Horrigan said the cigarette is lit like a normal cigarette, but a carbon heat source at its tip generates warm air that passes through tobacco extract, flavorings and glycerin to form smoke that tastes like cigarette smoke.

Although the cigarette includes carbon monoxide and nicotine at the level of low-tar brands, since the tobacco does not burn, most of the combustion products linked to cancer and other health concerns are eliminated or greatly reduced, Horrigan said.

He also said that because the cigarette produces almost no side-stream smoke after the first few puffs, no ash and no odor, “we also think it will be well received” by nonsmokers. The smoke exhaled by the smoker dissipates quickly, he said.

Horrigan said Reynolds felt it had to go beyond reducing tar and “address the perceptions” about health problems related to cigarette smoking.

“We’re not saying it’s a safe or safer cigarette,” Horrigan said.

Horrigan said the cigarette does not burn down. It remains lit for about as long as a king-size cigarette and then extinguishes itself. The smoker disposes of the entire cigarette.

The cigarette contains substantially less tobacco than a standard cigarette.

Researchers at Reynolds have worked for three years on the project, code-named “Operation Black Hole.”