Filter ventilation in cigarettes
TRANQUIL MUSIC
VOICE-OVER: Did you know nearly all cigarettes
have tiny holes in the filter paper?
WALTHER KLERX: In some cigarettes, the holes are visible to the naked eye.
In other cigarettes, you must use a microscope to see them.
These holes cause the smoker and the smoke machine
to inhale extra air.
REINSKJE TALHOUT: We use this smoke machine to compare
the tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide emissions of various products.
In Europe, we've agreed to use the so-called ISO method to do so.
The ISO method involves keeping the filter holes open during testing.
But a real smoker wants to consume a certain quantity of nicotine
because he is addicted to it.
So, he will adapt his behaviour.
The smoker will take more drags, inhale more deeply
and partially block the filter holes with his lips or fingers.
VOICE-OVER: So, this study also uses
the Canadian Intense protocol, in which filter holes are sealed.
TALHOUT: This gives a better idea of what a real smoker consumes.
In the ISO method, every minute, a 35-millilitre drag is taken.
In the Canadian Intense protocol, every thirty seconds
a 55-millilitre drag is taken.
KLERX: Now, based on the filter, we can see
what the effect of the different methods is.
With the ISO method, the filter is lightest
so fewer components were consumed
than with the Canadian Intense method. That means
that if you take bigger drags more often and seal off the holes
you consume more harmful components than when you don't do so.
So, holes in the filter do not make a cigarette less harmful.
Want to know more about filter ventilation in cigarettes?
Surf to: rivm.nl/filterventilatie.