Evaluation of the intensity of cigarette odors based on the perception of consumers

INTRODUCTION: We evaluated the tobacco odor intensity of cigarettes based on a large consumer panel and explored the differences of odor intensity perception based on sex, age and smoking habits. METHODS: The perceived intensity of tobacco odor of cigarettes was evaluated using a consumer group method. A consumer panel of 240 volunteers (80 smokers, 80 ex-smokers and 80 non-smokers) was asked to smell eleven unlit cigarettes and then report their tobacco odor intensity in a specific questionnaire. RESULTS: All volunteers clearly determined the presence of tobacco odor in all cigarettes. There is a general decrease of the perceived odor intensity with age, for both males and females. Moreover, tobacco odor perceived intensity, among all volunteer groups (smokers, non-smokers, ex-smokers), was higher for females than for males. Non-smokers declared the highest perceived tobacco odor intensities, followed by ex-smokers and smokers, who recorded the lowest perceived odor intensity. Perceived odor intensity decreased with age, with a higher rate for females compared to males, but independently of the smoking habits. CONCLUSIONS: Regular and untrained consumers confirmed that a tobacco odor of different intensity can be perceived during the smelling of unlit cigarettes. This perceived intensity depends on sex, age and smoking habits.