China: STMA Reports Results of Sample Quality Survey of Cigarettes

Source from:  TobaccoChina Online 01/28/2013

The State Tobacco Monopoly Administration (STMA) – the regulator of China’s tobacco industry – has recently issued a report on results of a sample quality survey of cigarette products produced in China in the second half of 2012, indicating that the quality of home-manufactured cigarettes remained stable in the six-month period.

The sample quality survey covered 171 specifications of cigarette products of 62 brands manufactured by 25 cigarette making enterprises in China. All the cigarette products covered by the survey were up to the relevant technical standards, according to the report.

Judged by analysis of results of the sample quality survey, the sensory quality and stylistic characteristics of Grades One and Two cigarettes on a scale of five grades continued to remain stable in the July-December period. In particular, some leading specifications were able to keep a relatively high quality and quantity of aroma under conditions of obviously reduction of the tar level, as a result of application of tobacco sheets and technologies for increasing aroma and maintaining moisture.

In the six-month period, the sensory quality of Grades Three, Four and Five cigarettes generally remained stable. The cigarette products with a tar level ranging between 5 mg and 8 mg saw their aroma density, aftertaste and comfort promoted to a relatively high level in the six-month period, which reflected increasing maturity of Chinese tobacco manufacturers in terms of blending technology development and control over technological processes.

Of the cigarette products covered by the sample quality survey, 60 specifications, or 35.1 percent, earned a full score of 100 points in terms of the packaging and making quality; 110 specifications, or 64.3 percent, earned a score of 90 points to 100 points in terms of this quality; and only one, or 0.6 percent, earned a score below 90 points in terms of this quality. Besides, the bar codes on the cartons and packets of all the specifications covered by the survey were found to be in conformity with the relevant technical standards.

In accordance with the planning of China’s tobacco industry for reducing the content of tar and other harmful substances in cigarette products, the tar level indicated on the packet of cigarette products manufactured in China may not exceed 11 mg per cigarette as of January 1, 2013. Therefore, the STMA requires all tobacco manufacturers in China to attach great importance to the fulfillment of this target, and requires them to promote technological innovation at the time of controlling the precise content of tar in cigarette products, in order to maintain the stylistic characteristics and taste of home-manufactured cigarettes, and provide powerful support for the development of well-known competitive cigarette brands of China. Enditem