TARMIN™ vs Standard Filters: A Detailed Comparison
When smokers first hear about add-on cigarette filters, the most common question is: how is this different from the filter already on my cigarette? This comparison explains the differences in construction and use, based on the manufacturer's product information. It contains no test results or user ratings, and it does not claim that either filter makes smoking safe.
Filter Construction: What You're Actually Using
Standard Cigarette Filter
A standard cigarette filter is a plug of cellulose acetate fibres wrapped in paper. It is part of the cigarette and is thrown away with the butt.
Many cigarettes also have ventilation holes in the tipping paper. They dilute the smoke with air and lower the tar values measured by smoking machines; in everyday use, smokers often cover these holes with their fingers or lips.
TARMIN™ Add-On Filter
TARMIN™ is a separate, disposable filter that fits onto the cigarette's own filter tip. It is a plastic filter tip with a dual-chamber, 2-stage design: the first chamber is designed to trap larger tar particles, and the second stage is a finer filter layer behind it. One TARMIN™ filter is used for 4–6 cigarettes.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Standard filter only | TARMIN™ added |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Single plug of cellulose acetate | Dual-chamber, 2-stage add-on filter |
| Used for | One cigarette | 4–6 cigarettes per filter |
| Visible residue | On the cigarette's own filter | Collects in the TARMIN™ filter, which turns brown |
| Published reduction figures | — | None for TARMIN™ |
The Visible Residue
After use, the TARMIN™ filter turns brown: this is tar residue that has collected in the filter, and it is the easiest way to see when a filter needs replacing. The colour shows that residue has collected there — it is not a measurement of how much less tar you inhale, and it does not mean that smoking has become safe.
Price Comparison
A standard filter costs nothing extra — it comes with the cigarette. TARMIN™ is an additional cost. To work out what it adds per cigarette:
- Take the current pack price on Amazon (packs of 300 or 1,000 filters)
- Divide it by the number of filters in the pack to get the price per filter
- Divide that by the number of cigarettes you use each filter for (4 to 6) to get the cost per cigarette
Using TARMIN™ Day to Day
A few practical points, based on the product design:
- Size: Regular (8mm) for standard and king size cigarettes, Slender+Slim (5–7mm) for slim and slender cigarettes
- Fit: the filter should sit firmly on the cigarette's filter tip
- Replacement: after 4–6 cigarettes, or as soon as the filter is dark brown
- Taste and draw: an extra filter in the smoke path can change how the draw feels; this is individual
Conclusion
A standard cigarette filter is a single plug that is part of the cigarette; TARMIN™ is an extra, disposable 2-stage filter that you fit onto the cigarette's filter tip and use for 4–6 cigarettes. Neither makes smoking safe. If you choose to use an add-on filter, pick the right size and replace it on time — and remember that quitting is the only way to avoid the harm of smoking.