Summary of evidence from industry data for discrimination threshold of noticeable sensory differences
| Category | Threshold for discrimination | Evidence | Studies | Type of studies | Test panels |
| Ventilation | 10%–12% difference | Strong, consistent | 25 | PC, MC | CP, EP |
| Pressure drop* | 15–20 mm difference (10%–15%) | Strong, consistent | 13 | PC, MC | CP, EP |
| Tobacco weight | 40–60 mg difference (6%–8% of tobacco weight) | Good, consistent | 10 | FA | CP, EP, AP |
| Cigarette length | 1–2 mm difference (2%) | Limited | 3 | IM | AP |
| Filter length | 1–3.5 mm difference (10%–15%) | Good, consistent | 9 | PC, MC, TD, R | CP, EP |
| Circumference | ≤1 mm diameter change (4% difference) | Limited | 4 | MC, R, FA, IM | CP, EP, MI |
| Density | 13 mg/cm3 | (Very) limited | 2 | MC, FA | EP |
| Tobacco blend | ≤10% change in blend components | Moderate, not consistent | 15 | PC, MC, TD, R, FA | CP, EP |
*Closed PD, whole cigarette. Evidence descriptor (strong/good/moderate/limited) weights number of studies by strength of study design and reliability; consistency indicates agreement among studies (>5 only).
AP, ad hoc panel; CP, consumer panel; EP, expert panel; FA, factorial analysis; IM, implementation; MC, monadic comparison; MI, mall interview; PC, paired comparison; PD, pressure drop; R, review (multiple studies); TD, triangle discrimination.