This GSO specifies a method for the spectrometric determination of alkaloids in cigarette smoke condensates. The smoking of cigarettes and collection of mainstream smoke are normally carried out in accordance with GSO 644/1987 However, this method is also applicable to the determination of nicotine in cigarette smoke condensates obtained by non-standard smoking. NOTE 1: GSO 644/1987 specifies the use of gas-chromatography for the determination of nicotine in smoke condensate solutions. In countries that are not in a position to use the gas-chromatography method. the determination of nicotine in smoke condensate should be performed by the method described in the GSO standard and an appropriate note made in the expression of results. This GSO standard determines total alkaloids, whereas GSO 644/1987 determines only nicotine by virtue of the gas-chromatographic separation. Occasionally, differences can accur because of minor amounts of alkaloids other than nicontine in some types of tobacco.