Table 1

Examples of filter innovations in the past 5 years (2015–2020)

Tobacco company	Filter innovation	Year first introduced	Example brands*	Filter description/marketing slogan†
Philip Morris International	Firm filter	2017	Chesterfield (Menthol, Silver, Red, Blue)	“Chesterfield with new premium features: Round corner box, firm filter”34
Philip Morris International	Firm filter	2015	Marlboro (Red, Gold, Silver Blue, Ice Blast, White Menthol, Touch)35	Marlboro touch: “Quality blend, firm filter. Unbelievable but true”33
British American Tobacco	Tube Filter	2020	Vogue Essence Bleue & Compact Bleue36	“tube filter”36
British American Tobacco	Tube & firm filter (‘Taste Plus Filter’)	2016	Pall Mall Blue & Silver Capsule37	“Improved Pall Mall range with taste plus filter”38
Imperial Tobacco Brands	Crush filter	2020	L&B Blue, JPS Players	“cool filter”; “For former Crushball smokers”24
	Tube & firm filter	2019	L&B Blue39	“bright air filter”39
	Firm filter	2018	JPS Real Blue40	“firm filter”40
	Tube filter (‘flow channels’)	2018	JPS Silver Stream40	“smooth filter”40
	Mineral & tube filter (‘easy draw channels’)	2015	JPS Triple Flow41	“Experience our ultimate smooth. Easy Draw channels, smooth tobacco blend, less smoke smell paper”42
Japan Tobacco International	Tube filter	2020	Sovereign & Sterling New Dual43	“flow tech”43

*These are illustrative examples which are focused on the UK market and, as such, do not include all brands covered by the filter innovations listed.
†Marketing slogans are included where a corresponding advert could be identified in UK trade press (2015–2017: The Grocer, Retail Newsagent, Wholesale News; 2018–2020: Retail Newsagent).