Hard to swallow: Dec '05 - Jan '06

With talk of a public smoking ban in England and legislation already passed in Scotland and Ireland, many smokers may be fearing that they will no longer be able to light up with their beer or coffee. But they need worry no more, as Woodleaf, based in Newport Beach, California, US, has launched 'Aeros Smokeless Cigarettes': specially sealed plastic tubes containing preserved tobacco extract that use the science of 'vapour transfer' to deliver the extract evaporate - which includes natural tobacco flavours and nicotine, but, according to a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) test, no particulate matter such as arsenic, formaldehyde and styrene, which are commonly found in the smoke of ordinary cigarettes - to the user. The vapours are released with each 'puff', and after each use (one to 10 puffs), capillary action automatically recharges evaporate to the tobacco surface, meaning that the same cigarette can be re-used. The company claims that one pack of Aeros lasts as long as 600 'old style' cigarettes, and no heat is required for use, as to begin 'smoking' the tube ends have only to be cut.

'Aeros deliver full smoking style satisfaction to the user because the delivery of vapour is instant, just like with cigarette smoke,' says the company. Indeed, Aeros have been classified as cigarettes by the US Tax & Trade Bureau, although other laws regulating tobacco products define it differently or do not include it at all.

The US Government is permitting the sale of Aeros, although consumers are being urged to consult physicians regarding the Aeros Test Report. Woodleaf is encouraging all scientific institutions conducting tests on nicotine content and tobacco products to include Aeros in their future studies.