Cigarette filters first appeared in 1925 when Hungarian inventor Boris Aivaz patented a crepe paper design. The modern acetate filter emerged in the 1950s as tobacco companies responded to growing health concerns about smoking.
Filter Materials & Construction
Most filters today use cellulose acetate fibers, sometimes combined with charcoal. The standard 20mm filter contains about 12,000 plastic-like fibers that trap some smoke particles while allowing nicotine to pass through.
How Filters Changed Smoking
- 1931: Parliament introduced first major filtered cigarette
- 1950s: Filter adoption soared after cancer studies
- 1970s: "Light" cigarettes with ventilated filters debuted
Early ads promoted filters as cleaner and safer, though internal documents reveal companies knew smokers compensated by inhaling deeper. Modern research shows filters may actually increase lung cancer risks by changing smoke inhalation patterns.
Current Filter Technology
- Ventilation: Tiny holes dilute smoke but encourage deeper puffs
- Charcoal: Claims to reduce certain chemicals
- Cavity: Recessed filters like Parliament's