Smoking article

摘要

The present invention relates to fuel elements useful in smoking articles which produce an aerosol that resembles tobacco smoke, but contains no more than a minimal amount of incomplete combustion or pyrolysis products. Preferred embodiments of the present invention comprise a short combustible carbonaceous fuel elements, usually less than about 20 mm in length, preferably from about 5 to 15 mm in length, and most preferably about 10 mm in length. The diameter of the fuel elements of the present invention generally is less than about 8 mm, preferably from about 3 to 7 mm, and most preferably from about 4 to 6 mm. Smoking articles utilizing the fuel elements of the present invention are capable of providing an aerosol "smoke" which is chemically simple, consisting essentially of air, oxides of carbon, water, and the aerosol which carries any desired flavorants or other desired volatile materials, and trace amounts of other materials. The aerosol "smoke" from the preferred embodiments has no significant mutagenic activity as measured by the Ames Test. In addition, the fuel element may be made to be virtually ashless so that the user does not have to remove any ash during use.