A smoking article (10) incorporates a liquid release component (20), the liquid release component comprising an inner core of a sustained release liquid delivery material and a frangible outer shell encapsulating the inner core. The liquid delivery material comprises a closed matrix structure comprising a cross-linked polymer matrix defining a plurality of domains; and a liquid composition that is trapped within the domains and is releasable from the closed matrix structure upon compression of the material. The frangible outer coating comprises at least one film-forming polymer and at least one plasticiser.