Cigarette filters in cardboard, foam and paper

Cardboard cigarette filters, paper ones and foam cigarette filters sit between the tobacco and the mouth, where the filter acts as a barrier. To begin with, using a cigarette filter made of cardboard or paper, or a foam cigarette filter, takes a little practice!

Even though a cardboard, paper or foam cigarette filter keeps bits of tobacco out of the mouth, smokers tend to draw harder on the cigarette. Because the draw feels lighter, a smoker may unconsciously pull harder and so take in a little more nicotine and other chemicals. It is therefore worth paying attention to the way a cigarette fitted with a cardboard or foam filter is smoked.

Foam cigarette filters

Foam filters for cigarettes are most commonly acetate filters. Foam cigarette filters are mainly used with roll-ups. Foam cigarette filters hold back a large part of the substances contained in the tobacco, which are trapped in the cellulose acetate.

The draw is described as lighter with these foam cigarette filters.

Foam or acetate filters come in several sizes: Slim filters (6mm in diameter), ultra slim filters (5.7mm) and regular filters (8mm).

Paper cigarette filters

Paper filters look and behave in the same way as acetate filters. The difference is that they are presented as more environmentally friendly, since they break down faster in the open.

Cardboard cigarette filters

Cardboard cigarette filters go by several names. They are known in French as toncars (back slang for carton) or as tips. All these names refer to cardboard cigarette filters. The principle is the same as for foam filters, except that they are used with roll-ups only.
Cardboard cigarette filters come in various thicknesses and sizes. The shapes differ too: there are the traditional rectangular cardboard filters for roll-ups, and conical cardboard cigarette filters. Conical tips are probably easier to roll and have become more widespread over the years.
Cardboard cigarette filters can be perforated, which allows the tip to be adjusted to the size of your choice.

Cardboard cigarette filters come in different sizes: wide and normal cardboard filters, conical cardboard cigarette filters, and perforated tips that make it easier to fold the W shape.

There are also filters that can be added to a cigarette bought from your tobacconist. Smoking.fr stocks the Nikostop brand. According to the manufacturer, these filters reduce the nicotine and tar inhaled by the smoker. They are disposable, but can be used for several cigarettes.

Find our advice on Smoking.fr: how to roll a cigarette by hand.