Reduced basis weight cigarette paper

A method for making a wrapping paper for a smoking article having a reduced basis weight comprising the steps of:

• incorporating into a paper substrate a filler comprising a white pigment, said white pigment having a median particle size of from about 0.1 microns to about 0.5 microns, said white pigment being added to said paper substrate in an amount from about 15% to about 35% by weight;
• and
• wherein said white pigment is added to said wrapping paper in an amount sufficient to increase the opacity of said wrapping paper up to at least about 70%, while maintaining the basis weight of said wrapping paper below about 22 gsm, wherein said paper has a tensile strength of at least about 1800 g/29 mm.

A smoking article comprising:

• a column of a smokable filler;
• and
• a wrapping paper surrounding said column of said smokable filler, said wrapping paper comprising a paper substrate containing calcium carbonate, titanium dioxide, or mixtures thereof having a median particle size of from about 0.2 microns to about 0.4 microns, said wrapping paper having a basis weight of up to about 22 gsm, a permeability of from about 15 Coresta units to about 55 Coresta units, a total filler content of from about 15% to about 35% by weight, and an opacity of at least about 70%, wherein said paper has a tensile strength of at least about 1800 g/29 mm.