It has been 18 days since the release of the national electronic cigarette standard (the second draft for comments), and the national standard is expected to be officially adopted in 37 days. The second draft for comments has decreased the number of chemicals from 122 to 101 (hereafter referred to as the 101 list), and more crucially, it has minimized the "characteristic taste of tobacco," which is directly tied to the user's experience. So, what is the current state of tobacco oil flavor research and development?
At present, there are dozens of choices for "tobacco flavor"
In our discussions with tobacco oil R&D producers, we discovered that, based on the 101 list, several companies have achieved significant progress in the research and development of tobacco taste. Mr.Z, a veteran of the company, told [2FIRSTS]: "When we first started shaping the market, the predominant flavor was tobacco, and sales accounted for more than 30% of total sales. Furthermore, based on user data, the repurchase rate of tobacco flavor is high, indicating that we are good at tobacco flavor research and development at home. Currently, three or four flavors have been submitted for assessment. In the future, we will prioritize new product development and aim for technological leadership."
Mr.L, general manager of a senior R&D company for tobacco oil, stated: "We thoroughly examined the 101-item list. At the moment, 17 tastes have been combined. Our R&D team is still working on new combination formulations, and more flavors will be added in the future." QIYI Bio, which has 12 years of research experience in the flavor and fragrance industry, has only just begun technical research and development of e-cigarette oil (aerosol), but its progress has been excellent. We also tasted the internal test version on the spot and discovered that the experience was not unpleasant, and that the aroma and flavor could virtually maintain the previous level.
Image source: A senior research and development company of tobacco oil.
Although the 101 list bans many additives, it also gives replacements, according to [2FIRSTS]. Mr.L believes that: "During our investigation, we discovered that several regularly used chemicals in the past are not on the 101 list, but can be replaced by others on the list. Although the taste performance is not always superior to the original, there is still opportunity for further research and development. Aside from tobacco, there are currently banana, blueberry, strawberry, and other fruits. The flavor is not as intense as tobacco's. The taste is quite pleasant when blending with tobacco flavor."
The research on the 101 list is still going on.
The "101 list" has become a new offer for local tobacco oil producers, and many professionals, such as XIKE's tobacco oil research and development team, are active in the research of these additions. Following the publication of the 101 list, they conducted comprehensive analysis and investigation on each item.
Image: 2FIRSTS
The XIKE research team believes that the major objective of the 101 list's regulation of ingredients and dose is to characterize the taste: "By restricting the use and amount of chemicals, the appeal of those who have never used tobacco will be diminished." Many e-cigarettes with noticeable fruity features can readily suppress and cover up the throat impact and discomfort induced by nicotine through strong fruity, floral, sweet, or chilly sensations, which may subconsciously persuade minors or nonsmokers to become nicotine dependent."
Image: Xi research and development team
The second draft of the national standard now includes three types of acceptable additives. Their primary roles are to offer basic cooling and sweetness, and the dosage is tiny, thus they are currently widely employed in the food and cigarette industries. Ws-23, for example, is merely a basic cooling agent with no discernible aroma. Furthermore, Newsweet, for example, has no discernible aroma and just delivers a sweet sensation. As a result, a chilly sensation, a sweet sensation, and a fruity flavor can all be presented.
The range of "tobacco taste" of e-cigarettes is not narrow.
According to [2FIRSTS], cigarette flavor types are currently classified into six categories: mild scent, strong perfume, intermediate scent, elegant scent, sweet scent, and mellow scent. Hundreds of rich cigarette tastes have been developed on this basis, therefore the taste range for conventional cigarettes is not limited.
Although the "Electronic Cigarette Management Measures" (second draft for comments) limit the tobacco flavor in e-cigarettes, the different proportions of 101 additives can produce "tobacco flavor" with different tastes and mouthfeel, and the mixed tobacco flavor with increased fruit flavor will gradually emerge, which is both a challenge and an opportunity for cigarette oil producers and domestic brands.
So, is it possible to add new compounds in the future? "If there are more compounds that should be added and employed after risk assessment and proven safe and dependable, it is doable," said XIKE's research and development team. According to XIKE specialists, there will be a specific declaration or supplement process in the future.
Mr.L stated: "All of the regularly used raw material additions are present. There is a lot of freedom to explore within the limits of the 101 list as long as you know enough about these substances and have excellent basic abilities. 'Tobacco flavor' will not impose too many limits, and it will still be able to fully exploit the benefits of good taste and good taste of e-cigarettes."
