Action of the Actron Filter

Action of the Actron Filter

An undated, 6-page Brown & Williamson report describes the purpose of the Actron filter (the filter used in the Barclay cigarette): "To achieve a spreading of the smoke through the oral cavity in such a way that many sensory cells can be stimulated simultaneously." It discusses objections to the filter based on how the lips can block the ventilation holes.

The original Actron filters were controversial because tiny perforations in the filter caused increased dilution of the tar and nicotine in smoke. Deliveries differed greatly from what actual smokers inhaled, due to occlusion of holes in the filters when smokers held them.

The original Actron filters were manufactured by Brown & Williamson in a two-step process: In the first step, conventional cellulose acetate filters were prepared. In the second, separate operation, the filter rods were grooved by rolling them over a series of heated blades. A later version of the filters, called Actron Plus filters, were purchased by Brown & Williamson from U.S. Filtrona.

Related SourceWatch resources

 * Barclay cigarette