WO2009031038A2

WO2009031038A2 - Smoking article with variable ventilation

Info

Publication number: WO2009031038A2
Application number: PCT/IB2008/003012
Authority: WO
Inventors: Frédéric ANTOUN; Robert Emmett; Dionis Borgognon; Frédéric MAGNE; Charles Kuersteiner
Original assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
Priority date: 2007-09-07
Filing date: 2008-08-28
Publication date: 2009-03-12
Also published as: WO2009031038A3; WO2009031038A8; EP2033531A1

Abstract

A smoking article (10)(50) comprises: a rod (2) of smokable material; a filter (4) circumscribed by a filter wrapper (56)(16,18); a rod end band (20) of tipping paper attaching the rod (2) to the filter (4); a mouth end band (22) of tipping paper; and a substantially air impermeable sleeve (24) disposed between the rod end (20) and mouth end (22) bands of tipping paper. The sleeve (24) overlies a portion of the filter wrapper and is moveable relative thereto between a first position and a second position, wherein the level of ventilation obtained in the first position is different to the level of ventilation obtained in the second position. Preferably, the sleeve (24) is a central band of tipping paper.

Description

SMOKING ARTICLE WITH VARIABLE VENTILATION

The present invention relates to a smoking article with variable ventilation and in particular to a filter cigarette with variable ventilation. Filter cigarettes typically comprise a rod of tobacco cut filler surrounded by a paper wrapper and a cylindrical filter aligned in an end-to-end relationship with the wrapped tobacco rod. Conventionally, the wrapped tobacco rod and the filter are joined by a band of tipping paper which circumscribes the entire length of the filter and an adjacent portion of the wrapped tobacco rod. The tipping paper may be provided with one or more circumferential rows of perforations at a location along the filter in order to ventilate mainstream tobacco smoke produced during combustion of the tobacco rod with ambient air. Filter cigarettes having other mechanisms for the variation of air ventilation during smoking, which enable the consumer to vary the ratio of air to smoke being delivered to their mouth, are also known.

US-A-4,526,183 discloses a variable dilution filter cigarette comprising a tobacco rod and a filter plug circumscribed by a substantially air permeable plug wrap and attached to the tobacco rod by a first layer of air permeable tipping paper which extends along the full length of the cigarette. A second layer of substantially air impermeable tipping paper circumscribes the first layer. The second layer is separable along a circumferentially extending row of perforations into a mouth end sleeve, attached to the first layer of tipping paper at the mouth end of the cigarette, and a rod end sleeve, which is movable along the cigarette. As the rod end sleeve is moved away from the mouth end sleeve, the underlying air permeable first layer of tipping paper is progressively exposed, thereby increasing the level of dilution obtained during smoking.

US-A-4, 570,649 discloses another variable dilution filter cigarette comprising a tobacco rod and a filter plug circumscribed by a plug wrap and attached to the tobacco rod by a layer of tipping paper. The plug wrap is substantially air impermeable and is separable along circumferential rows of perforation into a mouth end band, a central band and a rod end band having an opening therein. The mouth end and rod end bands are attached to the filter, while the central band is rotatable about the filter. The layer of tipping paper, which is also substantially air impermeable, is separable along a circumferentially extending row of perforations into a first band having an opening therein overlying the central band and a second band which attaches the filter plug to the tobacco rod. The first band is glued to the rotatable central band of the plug wrap and is therefore itself rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the cigarette. The opening in the tipping paper may be rotated into registry with the opening in the plug wrap, thereby increasing the level of dilution obtained during smoking. In order to rotate the first band to vary the dilution, the consumer must first break the rows of perforations in the plug wrap and tipping paper. It would be desirable to provide a smoking article having an improved mechanism for providing variable ventilation, which can be manufactured using conventional equipment and the same materials as a conventional smoking article. In addition, it would be desirable to provide a smoking article having a mechanism for providing variable ventilation that can be more simply and easily operated by the consumer.

According to the present invention there is provided a smoking article comprising: a rod of smokable material; a filter circumscribed by a filter wrapper; a rod end band of tipping paper attaching the rod to the filter; a mouth end band of tipping paper; and a substantially air impermeable sleeve disposed between the rod end and mouth end bands of tipping paper, wherein the sleeve overlies a portion of the filter wrapper and is moveable relative thereto between a first position and a second position, wherein the level of ventilation obtained in the first position is different to the level of ventilation obtained in the second position.

Preferably one position corresponds to a high ventilation position and the other position corresponds to a low ventilation position. Throughout the specification, the terms "high ventilation" and "low ventilation" are used to indicate the level of air admitted to the filter of a smoking article during smoking and the resultant dilution to the mainstream smoke that is obtained. The greater the level of ventilation, the greater the air dilution of the mainstream smoke and the lower the levels of the particulate and gaseous components present in the mainstream smoke delivered to the consumer's mouth. In particular, in a high ventilation position, the level of tar delivery to the consumer during smoking is lower than the level of tar delivery in a low ventilation position. Typically, a "low ventilation" or "low dilution" cigarette is understood to refer to a cigarette delivering a tar level of up to 10 mg, while a "high ventilation " or "high dilution" cigarette is understood to refer to a cigarette delivering a tar level of 1 mg and below. Smoking articles according to the invention allow the consumer to select the level of tar delivery which will be provided during smoking and accordingly, the taste that will be obtained, by selecting the level of ventilation provided to the filter. The level of ventilation may be selected prior to smoking, but can also be varied during smoking if desired.

Preferably, the smoking article includes markings to identify the first and second positions of the sleeve. For example, markers such as arrows, chevrons, '-' and '+' symbols, '0' and '1 ', or 'min' and 'max' may be printed onto the smoking article to indicate the positions in which high and low ventilation are obtained. Alternatively, regions of different colours may be printed to convey to the consumer the level of ventilation obtained in different positions. If a continuous scale is preferred, the cigarette may be printed with a numbered scale, or a scale of bands of varying widths to indicate the level of ventilation obtained. The rod end and mouth end bands of tipping paper are both attached to the filter wrapper and provide stops to prevent the sleeve being lost from either end of the smoking article. In addition, the bands of tipping paper may, if desired, be positioned so as to retain the sleeve in the correct position on the filter. The tipping paper is substantially air impermeable, as is the case in conventional smoking articles. The filter wrapper is preferably a paper wrapper, of the type typically used as the plug wrap in conventional smoking articles.

Unlike in the variable dilution cigarettes of the prior art, described above, in smoking articles according to the present invention the sleeve is not glued or otherwise connected to the filter wrapper, but it is moveable relative to the portion of the filter wrapper which it overlies. This means that the filter wrapper need not be separable into bands and so a conventional, unperforated, filter wrapper may be used. If desired, the smoking article can be provided to the consumer with the sleeve already detached from the rod end and mouth ends bands, since it will be retained in position on the smoking article by the bands of tipping paper. The smoking article is therefore immediately ready for use without the need for the consumer to break rows of perforations, as in the prior art.

Preferably, the sleeve is a band of impermeable paper, but alternatively, it may be a band of an impermeable material other than paper, such as a plastic. Most preferably, the sleeve is a central band of tipping paper disposed between the rod end and mouth end bands of tipping paper. Advantageously, it is therefore possible to form the sleeve, the rod end band and the mouth end band from a single layer of tipping paper, which is cut during manufacture of the smoking article to form the separate bands. To facilitate the separation of the tipping paper into the separate bands, a layer of tipping paper which has been pre-perforated with lines of perforations between the bands may be used. The lines of perforation may then simply be broken during manufacture in order to separate the layer of tipping paper into the three bands. Preferably, the smoking article is a filter cigarette. In the case of a filter cigarette, the sleeve, the rod end band and the mouth end band may replace the single layer of tipping paper conventionally provided. Advantageously, it is therefore possible to use the same materials to produce cigarettes according to the present invention as are used to produce conventional cigarettes. Furthermore, only minor modifications to conventional cigarette making equipment and methods are required to produce cigarettes according to the invention.

Preferably, the diameter of the sleeve is between 5 mm and 8.5 mm, more preferably 7.9 mm. Preferably, the length of the sleeve is between 6 mm and 16 mm, more preferably between 8 mm and 12 mm. The sleeve should be fitted sufficiently tightly around the filter that it effectively seals the region of the filter wrapper which it overlies. In addition, the sleeve should be fitted such that the level of friction between the sleeve and the underlying filter wrapper is - A - sufficient that the sleeve remains in the position selected by the consumer, whilst still being easily movable between the different ventilation positions.

In a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sleeve is axially slidable in a longitudinal direction along the filter between the rod end and mouth end bands of tipping paper. The range of the axial movement of the sleeve is determined by the distance between the rod end and mouth end bands of tipping paper, which are attached to the filter wrapper and act as stops against any further movement of the sleeve, and by the relative length of the sleeve compared to the distance between the mouth end band and the rod end band.

Preferably, in the first position the sleeve is adjacent to and abutting the rod end band of tipping paper and in the second position the sleeve is adjacent to and abutting the mouth end band of tipping paper. This means that the first and second positions are defined by the rod end and mouth end bands of tipping paper, respectively, such that the consumer may easily locate the desired position by moving the sleeve to the full extent possible in the appropriate direction. Particularly preferably, the filter wrapper comprises a region of higher air permeability than the remainder of the wrapper, wherein the region of higher air permeability is adjacent the mouth end band of tipping paper such that in the first position the region of higher air permeability is exposed whereby a high level of ventilation is provided, and in the second position the region of higher air permeability is covered by the sleeve whereby a low level of ventilation is provided. The region of higher air permeability may be provided, for example, by perforating a region of the wrapper, or by selecting a filter wrapper that has an integral region of higher air permeability than the remainder of the wrapper. Alternatively, the filter wrapper may comprise two or more separate wrappers of differing air permeability to each other.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the filter comprises a mouth end segment circumscribed by an air permeable wrapper and a rod end segment circumscribed by a substantially air impermeable wrapper, wherein in the first position the sleeve overlies the substantially air impermeable wrapper on the rod end segment such that the air permeable wrapper is at least partially uncovered whereby a high level of ventilation is provided and in the second position the sleeve overlies the air permeable wrapper of the mouth end segment such that the air permeable wrapper is covered by the sleeve whereby a low level of ventilation is provided. During use, the consumer may therefore select a high or low ventilation position by sliding the sleeve to the full extent possible so that it is abuts the rod end or mouth end band of tipping paper, respectively. Alternatively, the consumer may select an intermediate ventilation position by sliding the sleeve to a position between the rod end and mouth end bands of tipping paper, so that a portion of each of the filter wrappers is uncovered. As the sleeve is moved progressively closer to the rod end band of tipping paper, the level of ventilation is increased. Preferably, the permeability of the air permeable filter wrapper is between 3000 and 12,000 Coresta units. The higher the level of tar delivery desired in the high ventilation position, the lower the permeability of the filter wrapper which should be used.

Preferably, in a smoking article having a filter with a length of 27 mm, the uncovered region of the filter wrapper between the rod end and mouth end bands is 5 mm or less in length.

In a second preferred embodiment, the sleeve is rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the filter. The axial position of the sleeve relative to the filter wrapper may be fixed by the rod end and mouth end bands. Therefore, unlike in the filter cigarette of the prior art (described above), the sleeve need not be glued or otherwise connected to the underlying filter wrapper and the filter wrapper need not be separable into bands, since no rotation of the filter wrapper is necessary.

Preferably, the sleeve comprises at least one opening therein, the position of which may be altered through rotation of the sleeve. Preferably, the wrapper incorporating the at least one opening is substantially impermeable. Particularly preferably, the filter wrapper includes at least one opening in the region underlying the sleeve such that in the first position the openings in the filter wrapper and sleeve are substantially in registry with each other whereby a high level of ventilation is provided, and in the second position the opening in the filter wrapper is substantially covered by the sleeve whereby a low level of ventilation is provided. Preferably, the size, shape and orientation of the at least one opening in the sleeve are substantially the same as the size, shape and orientation of the at least one opening in the filter wrapper. Preferably, the sleeve and filter wrapper each include at least one circumferential, elongate opening. More preferably, each opening extends up to 90 degrees, or one quarter of the way around the circumference of the smoking article.

Particularly preferably, the sleeve and filter wrapper each comprise two opposed elongate openings extending 90 degrees circumferentially around the smoking article. During use, the consumer may select a high ventilation position by rotating the sleeve until the openings therein are fully aligned with the underlying openings in the filter wrapper. Alternatively, the consumer may select a low ventilation position by rotating the sleeve until the openings in the filter wrapper are closed by the sleeve. An intermediate ventilation position may also be selected by rotating the sleeve to a position in which the openings in the sleeve are partially aligned with the openings in the filter wrapper.

Smoking articles according to both embodiments of the present invention preferably comprise filters comprising up to four filter segments or up to three filter segments and a recess at the mouth end thereof. Preferably, the filter comprises two filter segments. The filter may comprise one or more filter segments of any suitable known filtration materials including, but not limited to, cellulose acetate tow (optionally including activated carbon on the tow), crepe paper and activated carbon. The filter may also comprise one or more filter segments that comprise flavour-bearing material such as, for example, plant material, breakable capsules containing flavourants, flavour-bearing granules or other materials loaded with flavour. Alternatively or in addition, the filter may comprise one or more filter segments that comprise filtration material and flavour-bearing material. For example, the filter may comprise one or more filter segments comprising flavour-bearing granules suspended within a filtration material or one or more flavour-bearing threads extending through a filtration material.

Preferably, the filter comprises filter segments having a length of between about 8 mm and about 16 mm, more preferably a length of between about 10 mm and about 12 mm. Preferably, the overall length of the filter is between about 24 mm and about 48 mm, more preferably a length of about 27 mm.

Preferably, the filter has a diameter of between about 5 mm and about 8.5 mm, more preferably a diameter of about 7.9 mm.

Smoking articles according to the present invention preferably have an overall length of between about 70 mm and about 128 mm, more preferably a length of about 84 mm.

Smoking articles according to the present invention may have a total nicotine free dry particulate matter or "tar" delivery of up to about 12 mg.

The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a side view of a variable ventilation filter cigarette according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 to 4 show schematic side views of the variable ventilation cigarette of Figure 1 in a high, low and intermediate ventilation position, respectively;

Figure 5 shows a side view of a variable ventilation filter cigarette according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and

Figures 6 and 7 show schematic side views of the variable ventilation cigarette of Figure 5 in a high and low ventilation position, respectively.

The filter cigarettes shown in Figures 1 to 7 have several components in common and these components have been given the same reference numerals. In the side views of Figures 1 and 5, portions have been broken away to illustrate details of the cigarette.

Each filter cigarette generally comprises an elongate, cylindrical wrapped tobacco rod 2 attached at one end to an axially aligned, elongate, cylindrical, filter 4.

In the filter cigarette 10 according to the first embodiment of the invention shown in

Figure 1 , the filter 4 includes two segments in abutting end-to-end relationship: a mouth end segment 12, distant from the wrapped tobacco rod 2; and a rod end segment 14, located upstream of the mouth end segment 12 and adjacent to and abutting the wrapped tobacco rod 2. The mouth end segment 12 is 15 mm in length and composed of a high efficiency cellulose acetate plug, which is circumscribed along its entire length by an air permeable filter wrapper 16. The rod end segment 14 is 12 mm in length and is also composed of a high efficiency cellulose acetate plug, which is circumscribed along its entire length by an air impermeable filter wrapper 18. The mouth end segment 12 and the rod end segment 14 are joined to form the filter 4 by an air permeable wrapper (not shown) which circumscribes the entire length of both segments 12, 14.

The wrapped tobacco rod 2 and the wrapped filter 4 are joined by a rod end band of impermeable tipping paper 20, which circumscribes a portion of the rod end segment 14 and an adjacent portion of the wrapped tobacco rod 2. The rod end band 20 is 10 mm in length and extends approximately halfway along the rod end segment 14 towards the mouth end. A mouth end band of impermeable tipping paper 22 circumscribes the mouth end segment 12. The mouth end band 22 is 10 mm in length and extends approximately two thirds of the way along the mouth end segment 12 from the mouth end. Both the rod end 20 and mouth end 22 bands are fixed in place by means of an adhesive. The distance between the rod end 20 and mouth end 22 bands is 12 mm.

Between the rod end 20 and mouth end 22 bands of tipping paper is a sleeve 24 of impermeable tipping paper which circumscribes the filter 4 and has a length of 8 mm, corresponding to two thirds of the distance between the rod end 20 and mouth end 22 bands. The sleeve is not adhered to either filter wrapper and is freely slidable in an axial direction along the filter between the rod end band 20 and the mouth end band 22.

As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the axial position of the sleeve 24 may be altered in order to change the level of ventilation and therefore the level of air dilution to the mainstream smoke which is obtained during smoking of the cigarette 10. This is achieved by varying the degree to which the air permeable wrapper 16 is covered by the sleeve 24 in the space between the first 20 and second 22 bands. The greater the area of the air permeable wrapper which is exposed, the higher the level of ventilation obtained. Figure 2 shows the cigarette 10 in a high ventilation "open" position, in which the sleeve 24 is positioned adjacent to and abutting the rod end band 20 of tipping paper. The rod end band 20 acts as a stop against further movement of the sleeve 24 towards the rod end of the cigarette 10. In this open position, the air impermeable filter wrapper 18 of the rod end segment 14 is fully covered by the sleeve 24, while the air permeable wrapper 16 of the mouth end segment 12 is uncovered. During smoking of the cigarette 10 in the open position, a high level of air dilution of the mainstream smoke is therefore obtained.

Figure 3 shows the cigarette 10 in a low ventilation "closed" position, in which the sleeve 24 is positioned adjacent to and abutting the mouth end band 22 of tipping paper. In this closed position, the air permeable filter wrapper 16 of the mouth end segment 12 is fully covered by the sleeve 24 while the air impermeable wrapper 18 of the rod end segment is uncovered. During smoking of the cigarette in the closed position, a low level of air dilution of the mainstream smoke is therefore obtained.

Figure 4 shows the cigarette 10 in an intermediate ventilation position, in which the sleeve 24 is positioned midway between the rod end 20 and mouth end 22 bands of tipping paper. In this position, the air permeable wrapper 16 and the air impermeable wrapper 18 are both only partially covered by the sleeve 24. During smoking of the cigarette 10 in the intermediate ventilation position, a moderate level of air dilution of the mainstream smoke is therefore obtained.

Table 1 shows the levels of particulate and gaseous components in the mainstream smoke during smoking of the cigarette described above, in the open position (as shown in Figure 2) and the closed position (as shown in Figure 3).

Table 1

As can be seen from Table 1 , the levels of particulate matter, tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide in the mainstream smoke during smoking of the cigarette in the open position are significantly lower than in the closed position. This illustrates that in the open position, the level of air dilution of the mainstream smoke is high as a result of a high level of ventilation and conversely, in the closed position, the level of air dilution of the mainstream smoke is low as a result of a low level of ventilation. Thus, the ventilation obtained is effectively varied through axial movement of the sleeve.

To form the variable ventilation filter cigarette 10 according to the first embodiment of the invention, the wrapped filter 4 and wrapped tobacco rod 2 may be produced in a conventional manner. A pre-perforated sheet of tipping paper is used to provide the rod end 20 and mouth end 22 bands and the sleeve 24. The layer of tipping paper includes a first row of perforations 10 mm from one end, which must be broken to form the mouth end band, and a second row of perforations 8 mm from the first row, which must be broken to separate the central and rod end bands. A double length of tipping paper may be used if preferred, as in conventional manufacturing processes. One or more specially shaped guides are incorporated into the conventional cigarette making equipment in order to break the lines of perforation in the tipping paper by separating the rod end 20 and mouth end 22 bands and in order ensure that the bands 20,22 are glued in the correct position on the cigarette. Additional cutting knives may also be incorporated to cut one or more of the lines of perforation. All of the lines of perforation are broken during the manufacturing process, at the same or different stages, to ensure that the cigarette is provided to the consumer ready for use, with the sleeve already able to move freely and easily between the rod end and mouth end bands.

In the filter cigarette 50 according to the second embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 5, the filter 4 includes a single segment 52 adjacent to and abutting the wrapped tobacco rod 2. The filter segment 52 is 27 mm in length and composed of a high efficiency cellulose acetate plug, which is circumscribed along its entire length by an air impermeable filter wrapper 56. The wrapper 56 includes a pair of opposed, elongate openings 58 which are positioned approximately 15 mm from the mouth end of the filter and each extend approximately 90 degrees circumferentially around the filter.

The wrapped tobacco rod 2 and the filter 4 are joined by a rod end band of tipping paper 20, which is 10 mm in length and circumscribes a portion of the filter segment 52 and an adjacent portion of the wrapped tobacco rod 2. A mouth end band of tipping paper 22 circumscribes the filter segment 52 at the mouth end thereof and has a length of 12 mm. Both the rod end 20 and mouth end 22 bands are fixed in place by means of an adhesive.

Between the rod end 20 and mouth end 22 bands of tipping paper is a sleeve 24 of tipping paper which circumscribes the filter 4 and abuts both the rod end 20 and mouth end 22 bands. The sleeve 24 is not adhered to the filter wrapper and is freely rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the filter 4. The rod end 20 and mouth end 22 bands act as stops to prevent any axial movement of the sleeve 24. The sleeve 24 is 12 mm in length and includes a pair of opposed, elongate openings 60 which are positioned approximately 15 mm from the mouth end of the filter and each extend approximately 90 degrees circumferentially around the filter.

As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the annular position of the sleeve 24 relative to the underlying filter wrapper 56 may be altered in order to change the level of ventilation and therefore the level of air dilution to the mainstream smoke which is obtained during smoking of the cigarette 50. This is achieved by selecting the degree of alignment of the openings 58 in the filter wrapper and the openings 60 in the sleeve 24. Figure 6 shows the cigarette 10 in a high ventilation "open" position, in which the sleeve 24 is rotated to a position in which the openings 60 therein are fully aligned with the openings 58 in the underlying filter wrapper 58. In this open position, the openings in the filter wrapper 58 are fully uncovered. During smoking of the cigarette 50 in the open position, a high level of air dilution of the mainstream smoke is therefore obtained.

Figure 7 shows the cigarette 50 in a low ventilation "closed" position, in which the sleeve 24 is rotated to a position in which the openings 58 in the filter wrapper 56 are completely covered by the sleeve 24. In this closed position, the openings in the air impermeable filter wrapper 56 are substantially sealed by the sleeve. During smoking of the cigarette 50 in the closed position, a low level of air dilution of the mainstream smoke is therefore obtained.

Table 2 shows the levels of particulate and gaseous components in the mainstream smoke during smoking of the cigarette according to the second embodiment of the present invention described above in the open position (as shown in Figure 6) and the closed position (as shown in Figure 7).

Table 2

As can be seen from Table 2, the levels of particulate matter, tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide in the mainstream smoke during smoking of the cigarette in the open position are significantly lower than in the closed position. This illustrates that in the open position, the level of air dilution of the mainstream smoke is high as a result of a high level of ventilation and conversely, in the closed position, the level of air dilution of the mainstream smoke is low as a result of a low level of ventilation. Thus, the ventilation obtained is effectively varied through rotation of the sleeve. To form the variable ventilation filter cigarette 50 according to the second embodiment of the invention, the wrapped filter 4 and wrapped tobacco rod 2 may be produced in a conventional manner. A pre-perforated sheet of tipping paper is used to provide the rod end 20 and mouth end 22 bands and the sleeve 24. The layer of tipping paper includes a first row of perforations 10 mm from one end, which must be broken to form the mouth end band, and a second row of perforations 12 mm from the first row, which must be broken to separate the central and rod end bands. A double length of tipping paper may be used if preferred, as in conventional manufacturing processes. One or more specially shaped guides are incorporated into the conventional cigarette making equipment in order to break the lines of perforation in the tipping paper and ensure that they are glued in the correct position on the cigarette. Additional cutting knives may also be incorporated to cut one or more of the lines of perforation. All of the lines of perforation are broken during the manufacturing process, at the same or different stages, to ensure that the cigarette is provided to the consumer ready for use, with the sleeve already able to rotate freely and easily around the filter. The openings in the filter wrapper and the sleeve are made simultaneously using a laser, once the cigarette has been assembled.

Claims

1. A smoking article (10)(50) comprising: a rod (2) of smokable material; a filter (4) circumscribed by a filter wrapper (16,18)(56); a rod end band (20) of tipping paper attaching the rod (2) to the filter (4); a mouth end band (22) of tipping paper; and a substantially air impermeable sleeve (24) disposed between the rod end (20) and mouth end (22) bands of tipping paper, wherein the sleeve (24) overlies a portion of the filter wrapper (16,18)(56) and is moveable relative thereto between a first position and a second position, wherein the level of ventilation obtained in the first position is different to the level of ventilation obtained in the second position.

2. A smoking article (10)(50) according to claim 1 wherein the sleeve (24) is a central band of tipping paper.

3. A smoking article (10) according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the sleeve (24) is axially slidable along the filter (4) between the rod end (20) and mouth end (22) bands of tipping paper.

4. A smoking article (10) according to claim 3 wherein in the first position the sleeve is adjacent to and abutting the rod end band (20) of tipping paper and in the second position the sleeve is adjacent to and abutting the mouth end band (22) of tipping paper.

5. A smoking article (10) according to claim 4 wherein the filter wrapper comprises a region of higher air permeability than the remainder of the wrapper, wherein the region of higher permeability is adjacent the mouth end band (22) of tipping paper such that in the first position the region of higher air permeability is exposed and a high level of ventilation is provided, and in the second position the region of higher air permeability is covered by the sleeve and a low level of ventilation is provided.

6. A smoking article (10) according to claim 5 wherein the filter (4) comprises a mouth end segment (12) circumscribed by an air permeable wrapper (16) and a rod end segment (14) circumscribed by a substantially air impermeable wrapper (18), wherein in the first position the sleeve (24) is overlying the air impermeable wrapper of the rod end segment (12) and in the second position the sleeve (24) is overlying the air permeable wrapper of the mouth end segment (14).

7. A smoking article (50) according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the sleeve (24) is rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the filter (4).

8. A smoking article (50) according to any preceding claim wherein the filter wrapper (56) includes at least one opening (58) therein in the region between the rod end (20) and mouth end (22) bands of tipping paper.

9. A smoking article (50) according to claim 7 wherein the sleeve (24) comprises at least one opening (60) therein.

10. A smoking article according to claim 9 wherein the filter wrapper (56) includes at least one opening in the region underlying the sleeve (60) such that in the first position the openings in the filter wrapper and sleeve are substantially in registry with each other whereby high ventilation is provided, and in the second position the opening in the filter wrapper is substantially covered by the sleeve (60) whereby low ventilation is provided.