More than 90% of cigarettes sold worldwide have a filter. 1 2 These filters are typically made of a plastic called cellulose acetate, 3 and are not biodegradable. 4 History of industry marketing ‘Safer’ and ‘healthier’ Filtered cigarettes have historically been marketed as safer than unfiltered cigarettes. Despite evidence showing that they are not less harmful and have increased health risks, they are still perceived by consumers as less harmful. Filters may be made from plastic cellulose acetate fiber, paper or activated charcoal (either as a cavity filter or embedded into the plastic cellulose acetate fibers). Macroporous phenol-formaldehyde resins and asbestos have also been used. [4] [5] The plastic cellulose acetate filter and paper modify the particulate smoke phase by particle retention ( filtration), and finely divided carbon modifies the gaseous phase ( adsorption). [6] a b Novotny TE, Lum K, Smith E, etal. (2009). "Cigarettes butts and the case for an environmental policy on hazardous cigarette waste". International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 6 (5): 1691–705. doi: 10.3390/ijerph6051691. PMC 2697937. PMID 19543415. Let’s admit it, no one likes the aftermath left by smokers, even the smokers themselves. To provide a healthier environment for yourself and other people, it is better to use the best cigarette filters that you’ll be able to find. These are important small things attached to any roll-up cigs. I’m sure that you are aware that there are a few types of filters in the markets. I’ve tested about 25 different brands and posted the results on this list. What is actually important?

For indoor or outdoor smoke. Most filters are only suitable for one of these environments, so it’s important to buy the right filter depending on where you’re smoking. Consider buying two types of filters and rotate them between your indoor and outdoor cigarettes: a charcoal filter for when you’re inside (indoor smoke) and an electrostatic filter for when you’re outside (outdoor cigarette); During the early 1950s, evidence demonstrated causal links between smoking and lung cancer. 6 7 The tobacco industry responded by introducing filters to reassure smokers that it was taking action to make cigarettes safer, 2 and to promote an alternative to quitting. 8 In 1950, cigarettes with cellulose acetate filters were introduced, capturing 1% of the market share. 1 Ralf Christoph; Bernd Schmidt; Udo Steinberner; Wolfgang Dilla; Reetta Karinen (2007), "Glycerol", Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry (7th ed.), Wiley, pp. 1–16, doi:10.1002/14356007.a12_477.pub2 https://dx.doi.org/10.1002%2F14356007.a12_477.pub2Preparation of energy storage material derived from a used cigarette filter for a supercapacitor electrode". IOP Science 25: 34. 2014. http://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/0957-4484/25/34/345601/meta;jsessionid=6AD229C8CCE8FE4B20613E8171F79CE7.ip-10-40-2-73. Industry research using standard smoking machine tests found that filter ventilation reduced the concentrations of tar and nicotine in the inhaled smoke, 13 as well as making cigarettes taste lighter and milder. 14 15 However, smoking machines do not precisely mirror real-life cigarette use in smokers. When their nicotine intake is reduced smokers typically engage in ‘compensatory smoking’; they take more frequent and deeper puffs to satisfy nicotine cravings, 16 17 and could cover the ventilation holes in the filters with their fingers. 18 19 Research on industry documents shows that Brown & Williamson, developer of the first major filtered cigarette, was aware of smokers’ practice of compensating for filter ventilation during the design process. 20 Therefore, filtered cigarettes may be less dangerous than unfiltered ones but they can still cause a host of illnesses including lung disease and heart problems that make them very unhealthy for smokers who continue to use them regularly despite warnings against it. What about Mimi filtered cigarettes?

The MouthPeace Mini is a smaller version of the original MouthPeace for bongs. Using an activated carbon filter, the MouthPeace Mini offers a smooth, clean, tasty hit, filtering out the harsh resin, tar particles while allowing smaller molecules, like THC and CBD, through. If you’re looking for something more environmentally-friendly or want a way to decrease nicotine intake (i.e., help quit smoking), brown cigarette filter papers might just be what you need. What can you use instead of a cigarette filter? Toilet paper is not intended to be used as cigarette paper. In fact, it could do more harm than good. The paper can cause a buildup of chemicals in your mouth and throat that would then lead you to cough or gag when smoking from the toilet tissue.

Consumer (mis)perceptions

In the 1970s epidemiologic evidence relative to tobacco-related cancers and data for coronary heart disease indicated a reduced risk among filter smokers for these diseases. [18] Between 1970 and 1980 some studies showed a 20-50% reduction in risk of lung cancer for long-term smokers of filtered cigarettes as compared to smokers of non-filtered cigarettes (IARC, 1986) but later studies indicated a similar risk for lung cancer in smokers of filtered and non-filtered cigarettes. [19] The risk reductions depend on different aspects such as the gender or whether a person is athletic, the study location, the age of the person, and when only studies providing both unadjusted and adjusted estimates were considered. Whether or not relative risk estimates are adjusted for cigarette consumption is not crucial to the conclusion of a clear advantage to filter cigarettes and tar reduction. [20]

Microporous plastic filters – the first layer of filtration, this filter takes out massive amounts of tar from the smoke. In 1925, Hungarian inventor Boris Aivaz patented the process of making a cigarette filter from crepe paper. [9] a b European Commission, Report From The Commission To The European Parliament, The Council, The European Economic And Social Committee And The Committe Of The Regions on the application of Directive 2014/40/EU concerning the manufacture, presentation and sale of tobacco and related products, 20 May 2021, accessed April 2023

History of industry marketing

Capsules in cigarette filters are strategically marketed to consumers, through a ball and/or power button symbol, coloured images (blue or green), and phrases such as “activate” and “pop it”. 49 The evidence shows that cigarettes with flavour capsules are associated with misperceptions of harm 50 and increased attractiveness among young smokers. 51 Recessed and firm filters Anti Tar claims that their filter tips filter out cigarette smoke while letting you enjoy the cigarette. In this review, we will see if the product really lives up to the hype. Are you using cigarette filters to improve your health? If so, why settle for substandard products that offer cheaper and inferior filtration? You could be unknowingly exposing yourself to harmful chemicals and wasting your money on something that won't truly benefit you. Smoked cigarette butts and cigarette tobacco are toxic to water organisms such as the marine topsmelt ( Atherinops affinis) and the freshwater fathead minnow ( Pimephales promelas). [ 18] Neal L. Benowitz; Paul G. Brunetta (2010), "Smoking Hazards and Cessation", in Robert J. Mason; V. Courtney Broaddus; Thomas R. Martin et al., Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine, 1 (5th ed.), Saunders, ISBN 978-1-4160-4710-0

T. C. Tso (2007), "Tobacco", Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry (7thed.), Wiley, pp.1–26, doi: 10.1002/14356007.a27_123, ISBN 978-3527306732 Labelling filtered cigarettes with warnings advising smokers to dispose of the product responsibly; 58 Accidents, fires: Price of littering goes beyond fines". Washington: State of Washington Department of Ecology. 1 June 2004. Archived from the original on 17 October 2016 . Retrieved 19 September 2016. This study evaluated mortality in the setting of lung cancer screening based on the type of cigarette smoked and found that smoking unfiltered cigarettes is associated with significantly higher lung cancer incidence and death. There was no difference in lung cancer outcomes when comparing light/ultralight or menthol smokers with regular cigarette smokers. Minzae L, Gil-Pyo K, Hyeon DS, Soomin P, Jongheop Y (2014). "Preparation of energy storage material derived from a used cigarette filter for a supercapacitor electrode". Nanotechnology. 25 (34): 34. Bibcode: 2014Nanot..25H5601L. doi: 10.1088/0957-4484/25/34/345601. PMID 25092115. S2CID 8692351.The world litters 4.5 trillion cigarette butts a year. Can we stop this?". The Houston Chronicle. http://blog.chron.com/sciguy/2010/05/the-world-litters-4-5-trillion-cigarette-butts-a-year-can-we-stop-this/. Retrieved 2014-09-16. K. Rothwell (1999), Health effects of interactions between tobacco use and exposure to other agents, Environmental Health Criteria, World Health Organization, http://www.inchem.org/documents/ehc/ehc/ehc211.htm Werner Haller; Hermann Onusseit; Gerhard Gierenz; Werner Gruber; Richard D. Rich; Günter Henke; Lothar Thiele; Horst Hoffmann; Dieter Dausmann; Riza-Nur Özelli; Udo Windhövel; Hans-Peter Sattler; Wolfgang Dierichs; Günter Tauber; Michael Hirthammer; Christoph Matz; Matthew Holloway; David Melody; Ernst-Ulrich Rust; Ansgar van Halteren (2007), "Adhesives", Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry (7thed.), Wiley, pp.1–70, doi: 10.1002/14356007.a01_221, ISBN 978-3527306732 Safety. Filters should not contain any metals or other toxins that may harm the smoker’s health and well-being. Those who are worried about their teeth will want to avoid products such as those that contain a lot of sugar like Swedish snus that is popular in Sweden for example;