Cigarette filter

History and Manufacture of Cigarette Filters

• In 1925, Boris Aivaz patented the process of making a cigarette filter from crepe paper.
• From 1935, Molins Machine Co Ltd developed a machine that made cigarettes incorporating the tipped filter.
• Filter cigarettes were considered safer, leading to their dominance in the market by the 1960s.
• Production of filter cigarettes rose from 0.5% in 1950 to 87.7% by 1975.
• The length of cigarettes increased from 70mm to 80, 85, 100, or 120mm.
• Cigarette filters are usually made from plastic cellulose acetate fiber, paper, or activated charcoal.
• Cellulose acetate is made by esterifying bleached cotton or wood pulp with acetic acid.
• Flavors, sweeteners, softeners, flame retardants, breakable capsules, and additives may be added to cigarette filters.
• The five largest manufacturers of filter tow are Celanese, Eastman Chemicals, Cerdia, Daicel, and Mitsubishi Rayon.
• Starch glues or emulsion-based adhesives are used for gluing cigarette seams.

Color Change and Health Risks of Cigarette Filters

• The cellulose acetate used in filters can change color when exposed to smoke.
• The tobacco industry modified the pH of the cellulose acetate to create the illusion of filtration.
• The industry prioritized the perception of filters being effective for marketing purposes.
• The actual effectiveness of filters in reducing health risks is debated.
• Epidemiologic evidence in the 1970s suggested a reduced risk of tobacco-related cancers and coronary heart disease among filter smokers.
• Some studies indicated a 20-50% reduction in the risk of lung cancer for long-term smokers of filtered cigarettes.
• Later studies showed a similar risk for lung cancer in smokers of filtered and non-filtered cigarettes.
• The risk reductions depend on factors such as gender, athleticism, study location, and age.
• Various add-on cigarette filters are sold as stop-smoking or tar-reduction devices.

Light Cigarettes and Safety of Cigarette Filters

• The tobacco industry has reduced tar and nicotine yields in cigarette smoke since the 1960s.
• Changes in cigarette design and manufacturing include the use of selected tobacco strains and high-porosity wrapping papers.
• Smokers tend to modify their smoking patterns based on the strength of the cigarette being smoked.
• Switching to low-tar, low-nicotine cigarettes may lead to smoking more cigarettes and inhaling more deeply.
• The use of filters and light cigarettes did not decrease nicotine intake per cigarette or lower the incidence of health issues.
• Cellulose acetate is non-toxic, odorless, tasteless, and weakly flammable.
• It is resistant to weak acids and largely stable to oils and petroleum.
• Cellulose acetate is hydrophilic and retains water-soluble smoke constituents.
• It lets through lipophilic aromatic compounds.
• Smoked cigarette butts contain nicotine and other irritating chemicals.

Environmental Impact and Solutions for Cigarette Filters

• Approximately 4.5 trillion cigarette butts become litter every year.
• The plastic cellulose acetate in cigarette butts biodegrades gradually.
• Environmental conditions affect the breakdown of cigarette butts.
• Cigarette butts can leach toxins into the environment.
• Governments have imposed penalties for littering cigarette filters.
• Developing biodegradable filters is an option.
• Implementing monetary deposits on filters can encourage proper disposal.
• Increasing the availability of cigarette receptacles can reduce littering.
• Banning the sale of filtered cigarettes may be considered.

Alternative Uses and Recycling of Cigarette Filters

• Cigarette filter waste can be converted into high-performing supercapacitor electrode material.
• Research is being conducted to find ways to use filter waste for other products.
• Adding tablets of food-grade acid inside filters can accelerate degradation.
• Using cellulose triacetate instead of cellulose acetate can speed up biodegradation.
• Exploring the secondary mechanism for photodegradation can lead to better biodegradable filters.
• Used cigarette filters can be repurposed for various applications, including energy storage materials for supercapacitors.
• Research has been conducted on the preparation of energy storage materials derived from used cigarette filters.
• Biodegradable cigarette filters have been proposed as a solution to the litter problem.
• Efforts have been made to develop biodegradable filters that can help reduce the environmental impact of cigarette litter.
• Recycling programs and initiatives have been implemented to encourage the proper disposal and recycling of cigarette filters.

Cigarette filter Data Sources