Buffering capacity of the smoke of different tobaccos in relation to lung cancer risks.

A method of assessing "buffering capacity" is described for comparison of the degree of acidity of alkalinity of the smoke of different tobaccos as presented to the oral and respiratory tracts of the smoker. Nicotine is more readily absorbed from an alkaline than from an acid smoke. The smoker of tobaccos giving a smoke of acid buffering capacity, in order to achieve full nicotine satisfaction, tends to smoke more and to inhale more, thus increasing lung cancer risks, than the smoker of tobaccos giving smoke of less acid or of alkaline buffering capacity.