Problems and Prospects of Tobacco Quality Evaluation

잎담배 품질평가방법의 문제점 및 전망

This paper comprised a review of published literature dealing with the evaluation of tobacco quality and usability. Evaluation of tobacco quality and usability seems to be difficult not only due to our inability to define them in simple and easily measurable term but also due to their relations to the profitability of tobacco companies and safety of comsumers. Chemical constituents and smoking taste and aroma of the tobacco represent the underlying basis for tobacco quality: however, tobacco is still purchased upon its physical appearance. Grade and value system is very convenient for evaluating the tobacco quality, if the system is based on the triangular relationship of physical appearance, chemical and smoking properties of tobacco, and also based on intrinsic quality of the tobacco independent of external influences. Grade and value system for tobacco in Korea is thought to be influenced by external factors besides intrinsic quality. Therefore, we have to concern new systems that could be supplement to, or replacement for currently available grade and value system.