Overview
ISO 21147:2003 - Fine-cut tobacco and smoking articles made from it: Survey and analysis of consumer-made articles - specifies a standardized method for surveying and analysing consumer-made fine‑cut smoking articles (FCSAs) to determine nicotine‑free dry particulate matter (NFDPM) and nicotine yields. The standard defines how to select consumer panels, collect and condition samples, perform laboratory smoke-yield testing, and report results so that studies of roll‑your‑own or hand‑rolled products are reproducible and comparable.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Objective: Measure NFDPM and nicotine yields from consumer-made FCSAs.
- Panel selection: Recruit experienced FCSA consumers (preferably daily users); the standard recommends a minimum panel size of 100 to obtain satisfactory confidence limits (pilot studies of ~40 may provide approximate findings).
- Sample production: Each consumer should make a minimum of 25 FCSAs (20 used for smoke yields, 2 for moisture, remainder for draw resistance/spares). Optionally 45 FCSAs allow two smoking runs of 20 each.
- Supply options: Tobacco and wrappers may be supplied (at normal sale moisture) or consumer-supplied; ISO 21147 notes supplying tobacco can increase tobacco use and yields, while non‑provision can affect moisture control.
- Conditioning and testing: Condition and test articles according to ISO 15592‑2 (atmosphere for conditioning/testing) and ISO 15592‑3 (routine analytical smoking machine and calculations).
- Measurements reported: Moisture content, individual and mean tobacco mass, diameter (measured at three points), draw resistance, number of puffs, NFDPM (mg), nicotine yield (mg), and smoking machine type.
- Handling and transport: Sealable, foam-lined containers and careful handling are required because consumer-made articles are highly variable and fragile.
- Statistics: Inspect data for outliers but remove only outliers due to known procedural departures; describe statistical methods used.
Applications and who uses it
- Tobacco research laboratories conducting product surveys of roll‑your‑own or hand‑rolled products.
- Public‑health researchers and epidemiologists assessing exposure from consumer‑made smoking articles.
- Regulatory authorities and standards bodies performing product surveillance and comparative studies of smoke yields.
- Industry testing labs and quality teams benchmarking consumer‑made article properties.
- Consultants and test houses preparing reproducible reports for policy, litigation, or market analysis.
Related standards
- ISO 15592‑2 - Conditioning atmosphere for fine‑cut tobacco and smoking articles.
- ISO 15592‑3:2003 - Determination of TPM, preparation for water and nicotine, and calculation of NFDPM (routine analytical smoking machine methods).
Keywords: ISO 21147:2003, fine‑cut tobacco, consumer‑made smoking articles, NFDPM, nicotine yields, roll‑your‑own, ISO 15592‑2, ISO 15592‑3, smoke yield survey.