Cigarette filter

By: Alternix

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.

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.

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.

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.

Reference	URL
Glossary	https://www.alternix.com/blogs/glossary-of-terms/cigarette-filter
Wikipedia	http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cigarette_filter
Wikidata	https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2361201
Knowledge Graph	https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=/m/0c9pzj