# Cigarette filter question.

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cigarette-filter-question/236375>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [March 25, 2004, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cigarette-filter-question/236375 "2004-03-25T17:08:56Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![PookahMacPhellimey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pookahmacphellimey/32/3175_2.png) [@PookahMacPhellimey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PookahMacPhellimey)\
**Post date:** [March 25, 2004, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cigarette-filter-question/236375/1 "2004-03-25T17:08:56Z")

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The paper wrapping around a usual cigarette is kind of orangy brown with yellow flecks. I’m wondering what, if anything, that is meant to simulate? Is it something that was used as filter before the foamy stuff that is used now? If so what? Wood? Cork? A cigarette holder?

😕

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**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\
**Post date:** [March 25, 2004, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cigarette-filter-question/236375/2 "2004-03-25T19:03:35Z")

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It’s meant to look like cork.

See here: [http://www.philipmorrisinternational.com/pages/eng/smoking/Non\_t\_materials.asp](http://www.philipmorrisinternational.com/pages/eng/smoking/Non_t_materials.asp)

> [@](#):
>
> Tipping paper is the paper that wraps around the filter and extends over the cigarette rod. The tipping paper holds the filter to the cigarette rod. Tipping paper is made from cellulose fiber and may have applied to it various colorants (e.g., pigments to give a cork appearance and/or to add a monogram) and coatings (e.g., to prevent the cigarette sticking to lips)