Evaluation of the intensity of cigarette odors based on the perception of consumers.

Introduction: We evaluated the tobacco odor intensity of cigarettes based on a large consumer panel and explored the differences of odor intensity perception based on sex, age and smoking habits.

Methods: The perceived intensity of tobacco odor of cigarettes was evaluated using a consumer group method. A consumer panel of 240 volunteers (80 smokers, 80 ex-smokers and 80 non-smokers) was asked to smell eleven unlit cigarettes and then report their tobacco odor intensity in a specific questionnaire.