Why don't cigarette butts burn? Is there a particular barrier between the tobacco and filter that prevents the burn?

Zbeckabee

The butts of a non-filtered cigarette will burn... The butts of a filtered cigarette will burn (or melt): Cigarette filters are made from cellulose acetate (diacetate) and are biodegradable, however depending on environmental conditions they can be resistant to degradation. http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/filter.asp http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cellulose_acetate#Fiber_properties Jul 10 10, 11:31 AM

star_gazer

On a filter cigarette, an extra impediment is placed on the combustion process; luckily, its not asbestos. The filter is attached to the tobacco rod by a special "tipping" paper which is essentially non-porus. This paper acts to extinguish the burning coal by significantly reducing the available oxygen. So, in effect, there is a barrier between the tobacco and the filter, but it is around the cigarette, not actually between the tobacco and the filter in the interior of the cigarette. http://www.batnz.com/group/sites/bat_5lpj9k.nsf/vwPagesWebLive/DO79L98Y/$FILE/medMD6HHPQ7.jpg?openelement Jul 10 10, 3:03 PM