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How efficient are filters in removing harmful substances from cigarette smoke? Putting a filter on the cigarette certainly reduces the tar and nicotine levels your body absorbs, In addition, there is evidence that people who smoke filter-tipped cigarettes are at less risk of getting lung cancer. So there certainly is some advantage. However, the benefit is certainly not so great that it is safe to smoke filter cigarettes. Probably the best that can be said for them is that if you cannot give up smoking altogether, they are a little less dangerous than non-filter brands. Why do doctors tell you that if you must smoke, smoke only the first half of the cigarette?

Two reason. The first is that the tar concentration in the bottom half of the cigarette, and particularly in the stub, is very much greater than in the top half. If you smoke only the top half of the cigarette or at least leave a long stub—you are doing yourself quite a big favor. The second reason is that any change in your habit which has the effect of decreasing the total amount that you actually smoke will benefit you by a similar amount. That is why those who have not been able to give up are strongly encouraged to at least try to make do with only half a cigarette at a time.