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From ancient cork to modern filter: What is the evolution of cigarette filter?
Cigarette filter, also known as filter tip, is one of the important components of cigarettes, and together with cigarette paper, capsule and adhesive, it constitutes the complete structure of cigarettes. Filters have been on the market since the early 1950s, with the aim of reducing the harm caused by smoking by reducing the harmful chemicals smokers inhale. Although laboratory test results show that filters can reduce tar and nicotine in smoke to some extent, their filtering effect is still limited for low molecular weight gases such as carbon monoxide.
In 1950, the technology of filtering cigarettes was recognized, which further increased the market share of cigarettes.
History
In 1925, Hungarian inventor Boris Aivaz obtained a patent for making cigarette filters, and in 1935, the British Molins Machinery Company began to develop cigarette production machines with filters. Initially, filters were considered a special product. It was not until 1954 that many tobacco manufacturers launched filtered cigarettes more widely due to the concern of the medical community and researchers about the potential link between smoking and lung disease. . This boosted sales of filtered cigarettes, which became the mainstream of the market after the 1960s.
In 1950, only 0.5% of cigarettes were filtered, but by 1975, that proportion had soared to 87.7%.
Manufacturing process
Currently, the main material for cigarette filters is cellulose acetate, a plastic fiber, but paper or activated carbon may also be used. Cellulose acetate is produced by acetylating bleached cotton or wood pulp. The selected paste is further processed to produce specific filter specifications. Many large tobacco companies, such as Celanese and Eastman Chemical in the United States, Cerdia in Germany, and Daido Chemical and Mitsubishi Rayon in Japan, are large manufacturers of filter tobacco.
Health Risks
Although experts once believed that filters could reduce the health effects of smoking, epidemiological studies in the 1970s showed that cigarette filters reduced the risk of lung cancer and heart disease in some cases, but subsequent studies showed that The risk of lung cancer is similar whether smoking filtered or unfiltered cigarettes. The shocking statistics shocked many smokers.
Past data contrast sharply with current results: filtered cigarettes do not significantly reduce nicotine intake.
Future options
As environmental concerns grow, researchers are looking for better biodegradable filters and developing new materials for this purpose. In addition, in order to improve the environmental pollution caused by cigarette filters, some governments have even begun to impose heavy penalties on the littering of filters.
Another direction for improvement is the development of activated carbon filters, which have better filtering capabilities for tar and other toxins in smoke, which could become an important shift in future cigarettes.
In the face of increasing environmental pressure, we also need to think: Should we re-evaluate the actual impact of filters on health and the carrying capacity of the environment?
