British American Tobacco (BAT) is testing three modified-risk cigarette prototypes on volunteers to develop technology that could be incorporated into existing products, the Financial Times reported.

The prototypes are not being tested to create new products, the newspaper said in a story citing David O’Reilly, BAT group scientific director. A six-week clinical trial in Germany with 300 volunteers showed substantial reduction in some toxicants, the newspaper said. BAT intends to pursue those results in a larger trial over six-months.
Similar tests were conducted in Germany by BAT in 2009.
According to the Financial Times, the current tests combine toxicant reducing technologies in both the tobacco, and in the filter. The prototypes employ activated-carbon filters and filters with a resin that removes aldehydes. Tobacco processed with an enzyme to remove chemicals harmful when burnt and an inert tobacco substitute that dilutes smoke also are being tested, the Financial Times reported. (pi)