Rauchdauer

Rauchdauer is a German term that literally translates to “smoke duration” and refers to the length of time during which a combustible product, most notably a cigarette, emits visible smoke from the onset of a puff until the final plume dissipates. The concept is used primarily in the tobacco industry and regulatory testing to quantify the temporal profile of smoke production, nicotine delivery, and tar deposition.

In standardized testing protocols such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 3308 or the ASTM Standard G280, a cigarette’s Rauchdauer is monitored by recording the time between the start of a controlled puff and the cessation of visible smoke. The time is usually expressed in seconds, and the value can be correlated with the burn rate, filter ventilation, and tobacco blend. Manufacturers may adjust tobacco density, paper permeability, or filter design to modify the Rauchdauer in order to meet specific regulatory or consumer preferences.

Legislative frameworks in many European jurisdictions set maximum allowable Rauchdauer thresholds for ready‑to‑smoke products. These limits are intended to reduce acute exposure to harmful constituents by curbing prolonged smoke emission. In addition, studies on secondhand smoke exposure incorporate Rauchdauer data to model airborne contaminant kinetics in indoor environments.

The measurement of Rauchdauer also intersects with environmental and occupational safety, where the prolonged release of particulate matter and volatile organic compounds can influence air quality in manufacturing facilities. Consequently, accurate recording of Rauchdauer contributes to risk‑assessment models, informs public‑health guidelines, and supports compliance with international trade and consumer‑safety standards.