sample="quota" bates="504476087" isource="rjr" decade="1980" class="ni" date="19830822" VANTAGE - R&D Weekly Status Report August 22, 1983 RJR CONFIDENTIAL DISTRIBUTION Mr. S. E. Carter Mr. L. C. Cook Mr. S. H. Davis Dr. G. R. DiMarco Ms. C. W. Douthit Mr. W. M. Dufour Mr. T. L. Gentry Mr. H. H. Gordin Mr. J. W. Goss Mr. H. E. Guess Mr. B. V. Hardin Mr. R. B. Hege Mr. M. Z. Johnston Ms. D. E. Loredo Ms. G. W. McKenna Mr. J. R. Pegram Mr. D. L. Potter Mr. D. R. Pugh Ms. Mr. R. Savoca Ms. G. C. Smith Mr. S. L. Snyder Mr. K. W. Swicegood Mr. J. S. Tan Ms. M. D. Trogdon Mr. W. H. Upchurch Ms. P. W. Vestal Mr. R. L. Willard Mr. J. B. Wilson THIS COPY TO RJR Subject: VANTAGE- R&D Weekly Status Report Date: August 24, 1983 To: Distribution From: R. L. Willard I. VANTAGE 85 (SCS-III) Project Leader: S. E. Carter A cigarette paper change from 854 to 754 was implemented 8/11/83. This was done to reduce the tar to within ship limits. Dry line change from 5 mm. to 6 mm. was made on 8/15 to allow more dilution. L-test was made on 8/15/83 to compare 626 plug wrap and 70 MI plug wrap. L-test was made on 8/23/83, testing 80 Ml plug wrap with current tipping. Increased tipping porosity tests were made 8/17/83. All parts have 754 cigarette paper and 6 mm. dry line. AFC was requested to increase weight 0.7% to 1.1% above the current average to help reduce tars. VANTAGE 85 (R-7795) has had low weight and draft since April. Topline results of the VANTAGE F85 mm. Descriptive Test indicated that there is no perceptible product attribute difference between VANTAGE 85 at 10.4 mg. tar and 9.1 mg. tar. L-tests were also made to test tar verus hole depth. Filter efficiency was checked on current product versus product made in February. The February product was 8.6 and the current product was 10.8. VF "High Tar" Test plan: Two prototypes will be mailed out on 9/12/83. One product will be high tar (10.4 - 10.8) quarantined product and the other prototype will be the new product (when that is decided upon). Topline report due 10/13/83. II. VANTAGE Menthol 85 (SCS-III) Project Leader: S. E. Carter A cigarette paper change from 854 to 754 was implemented 8/11/83. This was done to reduce the tar to within ship limits. AFC was requested to increase weight 0.7-0.8% above the current average to help reduce high tars on this brand. III. VANTAGE 100 (SCS-III) Project Leader: M. D. Trogdon Phase III production continuing. Tars have averaged 9.6 mg. Phase II for the implementation of skip gap gummer will be repeated for the week of 9/6/83 due to high tars (9.9 mg.). Phase III scheduled for the week of 10/3/83. MARC Discrimination Test and Phase I for on-line laster will be run in manufacturing the week of 8/29/83, with mailout date of 9/19/83. Pending NSD between the products, Phase III conversion to on-line laster is scheduled for 10/24/83. IV. VANTAGE 100 Menthol (SCS-III) Project Leader: M. D. Trogdon Phase III production of this product is continuing. To date tar has averaged 9.9 mg.. Effective the week of 10/3/83, VM-100 will be produced with V-100 tipping which has a higher porosity. This porosity increase should lower tar levels. Final results for Post Production (FT-4002) due w/o 8/22/83. Phase II and II dates for implementation of skip gap gummer to be determined. V. VANTAGE UL 85 Menthol (Estron Filter) Project Leader: G. C. Smith Phase III commenced 8/8/83 with extended filter and on-line laser tipping. Tobacco weight increase made due to soft cigarettes. Tar currently averaging 5.5 mg.. Currently rated as superior to Merit Ultra Lights Menthol 85 among target competitive smokers. VI. VANTAGE UL 85 (SCS-III) Project Leader: G. C. Smith Product having extended filter and on-line laser to be mailed for Walker panel testing w/o 8/15/83. Post Production Test mailout date TBD. Product pick up in progress. VII. VANTAGE UL 100 (SCS-III) Project Leader: G. C. Smith Phase III sign-off was held 7/13/83. Tars averaged 5.2 mg. through Phase III. Tar spec set at 5.2 mg.. Post Production Test refielded w/p 7/25/83. R. L. Willard :jdb