Does the filter on your cigarette really make it safer?

Many people mistakenly believe smoking filtered cigarettes are safer than smoking non-filtered cigarettes.

Filtered cigarettes are no safer than non-filtered. Filters do not protect you from bad chemicals and, in some ways, they may be more dangerous than non-filtered cigarettes.

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Filters only help block the largest tar particles, letting through smaller bits of tar that can travel deeper into your lungs.

The inside of the filter is painted white to appear clean. Each individual filter is made of thousands of tiny fibers. During smoking, these fibers can come off into your mouth and be inhaled into your lungs.

Charcoal filters are no better.

If you smoke a cigarette with a charcoal filter, not only can you get fibers in your body, you can also get tiny bits of charcoal.