J.F. Thrasher, E.N. Abad-Vivero, C. Moodie, et al. Cigarette brands with flavour capsules in the filter: Trends in use and brand perceptions among smokers in the USA, Mexico and Australia, 2012–2014, Tobacco Control, 2016, 25(3):275, doi:10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2014-052064 The cigarette filter is 100% biodegradable and non-synthetic, with no chemical additives. When discarded into a soil medium, the seeds embedded in the filter can grow to produce various plants, depending on which seeds are embedded. Seeds located within the filter tow break the filter apart, thus accelerating degradation from the inside. Seeds located within the filter tow can be of a larger diameter than those used within the inner and outer layers of filter wrapper paper, when seeds are located throughout the entire filter. Seeds located within one or both filter wrapper layers break the filter plug wrap and tipping paper apart which then releases the filter tow within, accelerating degradation from an outside in approach. Seeds located within the tipping paper and plug wrap are located outside of the smoke column. Types of seed located within or between the plug wrap and tipping paper layers include smaller diameter seeds or varieties that would be damaged by direct interaction with smoke, impede smoke draw through the filter, or alter smoke taste.

Essentra Launches Biodegradable Filters – Tobacco Reporter

The WHO advocates for methods of testing and measurement developed independently from the tobacco industry: The tobacco industry uses product innovation as a tactic to grow sales and circumvent legislation. Flavour capsules Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu (National Institute for Public Health and the Environment), Methods for determining TNCO in tobacco smoke, factsheet, undated, accessed July2023 P. Kennedy, Who made that cigarette filter? New York Times Magazine, 6 July 2012, accessed January 2021

Environmental impact

We never though't there would be so much excitement around a cigarette filter but there you have it!

These Biodegradable Cigarette Filters Will Grow Into a Tree

The tobacco industry may see biodegradable filters as a method to combat the social unacceptability of smoking and improve the industry’s public image. 71 72 However, biodegradable filters still have negative impacts; they would still leach harmful chemicals into the environment if not discarded properly. 60 J. Torkashvand, M. Farzadkia, H.R. Sobhi, A. Esrafili, Littered cigarette butt as a well-known hazardous waste: A comprehensive systematic review, Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2020, 383:121242, doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2019.121242 A study recently identified several of these toxins which include nicotine have been found in water sources. They wanted to test the effects cigarette butts were having on marine life. A24D3/00— Tobacco smoke filters, e.g. filter-tips, filtering inserts; Filters specially adapted for simulated smoking devices; Mouthpieces for cigars or cigarettes

More sprouts

M. Quéméneur, S. Chifflet, F. Akrout, et al. Impact of cigarette butts on microbial diversity and dissolved trace metals in coastal marine sediment, Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 2020, 240:106785, doi:10.1016/j.ecss.2020.106785 When cigarettes account for one-third of all litter it’s great that people are trying to find a use for the waste. Hopefully, we can watch our cities to become butt free in the near future. Are There Any Biodegradable Cigarette Filters? A.A. Kadir, N.A. Sarani, Cigarette butts pollution and environmental impact – A review, Applied Mechanics and Materials, 2015, 773-774:1106-10, doi:10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.773-774.1106 The tobacco industry’s primary motive is to rehabilitate its reputation. 71 Partnerships between public health and environmental advocates could increase pressure on tobacco companies to take responsibility for the environmental and health harms of cigarette filters, 71 72 and increase support for regulation. 73 TobaccoTactics Resources

cigarette filters | CNN The dirty truth about cigarette filters | CNN

We have now seen a rise in companies making biodegradable filters in an effort to stop people needing to recycle cigarettes. There’s been a great response from outdoor music festivals (they were the only cigarette selling at over 15 of SA’s biggest festivals this season). It seems festival organisers like not having to clean up thousands of plastic filters off the ground at the end of it.Always raising the bar Mascotte have developed what is set to be out favourite product of 2014. The rise in popularity of Organic and unbleached cigarette papers was bound to stretch across to cigarette filters at some point and we should have known Mascotte would lead the way.