FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

TarGard is proud to be the top-selling brand of cigarette filters in the United States. We are a small, family-owned and operated business based in beautiful Traverse City, Michigan. Some of our products are imported from China. Others are assembled and packaged here in the USA, using raw goods produced both here and overseas. 

• Our Original Disposable Filter mouthpieces are made out of BPA-free, Phthalate-free ABS plastic, while the white end tip is made of BPA-free, Phthalate-free Polystyrene.
• Our popular Mini Filters are made entirely of BPA-free, Phthalate-free ABS.
• Our Permanent Cigarette Filter uses BPA-free, Phthalate-free ABS plastic for the filter mouthpiece and body. The gold-colored metal insert is made of anodized aluminum.

Yes. All TarGard cigarette filters are BPA-free and Phthalate-free.

TarGard’s convenient, affordable Universal Slim Cigarette Adapters allow smokers to use any TarGard filter with their slim cigarettes like Misty Slims or Virginia Slims (diameter = 7.3mm). Please note that we do not offer a filter solution for super slim cigarettes.

Due to skyrocketing production costs, we made the difficult decision a few years ago to stop producing our Cartridge Cigarette Filter and its convenient filter refills. Since then, we have sold all remaining inventory, and no longer offer either product.

Yes!  The proof is right there in every used TarGard Cigarette Filter, as well as in the countless positive reviews shared by loyal TarGard users online. Thousands of our most loyal customers have been smoking with TarGard for decades! 

TarGard is a small, family-owned and operated business based in beautiful Traverse City, Michigan. Our Disposable Cigarette Filters are assembled and packaged here in the USA, using raw goods produced in China.

Unfortunately, due to strict FDA regulations governing the sale of cigarette filters, we are unable to make any specific claims regarding how effective our filters are at removing tar or nicotine from cigarette smoke.  That said, we encourage you to form your own opinions about the value/effectiveness of our filters based on personal experience.  Just look inside one of your used TarGard filters and decide for yourself if it’s working!

Our Original Disposable filters are designed to be used for more than one cigarette. How many you smoke before replacing your filter will depend on a number of factors, including the brand of cigarettes you smoke and your own personal smoking style. Long-time TarGard customers report smoking an average of 6-8 cigarettes per Original Disposable Filter, although some have reported smoking up to 12.

Yes, to use simply slide your cigarette into the open end of your TarGard Disposable filter. Those ridges you see are on the outside surface of the filter only – they are there to help you grip the filter during normal use.

Yes. TarGard Filters allow you to smoke without making direct contact with the filtered end of your cigarette. TarGard users consistently share with us that this reduces fingertip staining over time.

Yes. Using a TarGard Original Disposable Filter will allow you to keep your fingers much further away from your lit cigarette, significantly reducing direct contact with your smoke. Loyal TarGard users often mention reduced odor on their hands as a benefit of using TarGard products.

It will depend on the diameter of the cigarette you are smoking. To work reliably, TarGard filters must fit snugly. This means your unfiltered cigarette will need to be very close to the US standard diameter of 7.5mm.  

Our Original Disposable Cigarette Filter is 2.25 inches long and .25 inches wide at the mouthpiece end. The internal diameter of the open filter end is .3125 inches (*7.5mm).

 No, but TarGard proudly offers a Universal Slim Adapter that allows slim cigarette smokers to use any style of TarGard Cigarette Filter.  You simply slide the Adapter into the open end of any TarGard filter style, then insert your Misty Slim, Virginia Slim, or similar slim cigarette into the Adapter opening. Please note – TarGard Universal Slim Adapters will NOT work with “super slim” cigarette styles. 

TarGard Original Disposable Filter mouthpieces are made out of high-quality, impact-resistant, BPA-free, Phthalate-free ABS plastic. The white filter end tip is made of Polystyrene.

Unfortunately, no.  While the ABS plastic used in our mouthpieces is classified as a #7 recyclable plastic (“Other”), our white Polystyrene end tips are not recyclable via curbside pick up.

TarGard’s Original Disposable Cigarette Filters are designed to be used for approximately 6-8 cigarettes or more, then disposed of once the filter chamber is filled with trapped material.  It is not designed to be disassembled and cleaned.

TarGard’s popular Mini Filters are designed to fit standard U.S. cigarettes, which have a diameter of roughly 7.5mm.  Other smoking products such as cigarillos, hand-rolled cigarettes, Medwakh pipes, etc. may work with our Mini Filters, but we can’t promise you a reliable fit since the diameter of those other smoking products can vary significantly.

Yes!  The proof is right there in every used TarGard Cigarette Filter, as well as in the countless positive reviews shared by loyal TarGard users online. Thousands of our most loyal customers have been satisfied with TarGards for decades! 

TarGard is a small, family-owned and operated business based in beautiful Traverse City, Michigan. Our Mini Cigarette Filters are packaged here in the USA, using raw goods produced in China.

Unfortunately, due to strict FDA regulations governing the sale of cigarette filters, we are unable to make any specific claims regarding how effective our filters are at removing tar or nicotine from cigarette smoke.  That said, we encourage you to form your own opinions about the value/effectiveness of our filters based on personal experience.  Just look inside one of your used TarGard filters and decide for yourself if it’s working!

Our popular Mini filters are designed to be used for more than one cigarette. How many cigarettes you smoke before replacing your filter will depend on a number of factors, including the brand of cigarettes you smoke and your own personal smoking style. Long-time TarGard customers report smoking an average of 3-5 cigarettes per Mini Filter, although some have reported smoking up to 8.

Yes, to use your TarGard Mini Filter, simply slide your US standard-sized cigarette into the open end and make sure it is seated snugly.

Yes. TarGard Filters allow you to smoke without making direct contact with the filtered end of your cigarette. TarGard users consistently share with us that this reduces finger-tip staining over time.

Yes. Using a TarGard Mini Filter will allow you to keep your fingers further away from your lit cigarette, significantly reducing your direct contact with smoke. Loyal TarGard users often mention reduced odor on their hands as a benefit of using TarGard products.

It will depend on the diameter of the cigarette you are smoking. To work reliably, TarGard filters must fit snugly. This means your unfiltered cigarette will need to be very close to the US standard diameter of 7.5mm. 

Our Mini Filters are just over 1 inch long and .3125 inches wide at the mouthpiece end. The internal diameter of the open filter end is also .3125 inches (*7.5mm).

TarGard proudly offers a Universal Slim Adapter that allows slim cigarette smokers to use any style of TarGard Cigarette Filter.  Simply slide an affordable Slim Adapter into the open end of any TarGard filter style, then insert your Misty Slim, Virginia Slim, or similar slim cigarette into the Adapter opening. Please note – TarGard Universal Slim Adapters will NOT work with “super slim” cigarette styles. 

TarGard Mini Filters are made out of high-quality, impact-resistant, BPA-free, Phthalate-free ABS plastic.

Yes. ABS plastic is classified as a #7 recyclable plastic (“Other”).

TarGard’s Mini Cigarette Filters are designed to be used for approximately 3-5 cigarettes, then disposed of once the filter chamber is filled with trapped material.  They are not designed to be disassembled and cleaned. 

Yes. All of our filter styles have been proven over decades of use to perform reliably.  Remember – the proof is right there in your filter after each use!

In a word, yes!  We provide clear instructions on every package, and online we share tips and tricks from loyal TarGard customers who have smoked with the Permanent Filter for years. Cleaning only takes a few seconds, and if you’re worried about having to clean your filter while you’re out in public, do what so many of our other customers do and simply keep an affordable backup system on hand that you can use until you have time to clean.

• Twist the mouthpiece and the metal insert in opposing directions while pulling them apart.
• Once apart, clean both using a cotton swab and hot soapy water. The tar is very sticky, so rubbing alcohol usually helps speed up the process.
• Make sure the airway is completely clear.
• Allow the filter to completely dry before using it again.
• Reassemble the filter and enjoy!

TarGard’s Permanent Filter System is designed for use with standard U.S. cigarettes, which have a diameter of roughly 7.5mm.  Other smoking products such as cigarillos, hand-rolled cigarettes, Medwakh pipes, etc. may work with our Permanent Filter, but we can’t promise you a reliable fit since the diameter of those other smoking products can vary significantly.

Yes!  The proof is right there in every used TarGard Cigarette Filter, as well as in the countless positive reviews shared by loyal TarGard users online. Thousands of our most loyal customers have been satisfied with TarGard for decades! 

TarGard is a small, family-owned and operated business based in beautiful Traverse City, Michigan. Our Permanent Cigarette Filters are assembled and packaged here in the USA, using raw goods produced in China.

Unfortunately, due to strict FDA regulations governing the sale of cigarette filters, we are unable to make any specific claims regarding how effective our filters are at removing tar or nicotine from cigarette smoke.  That said, we encourage you to form your own opinions about the value/effectiveness of our filters based on personal experience.  Just look inside one of your used TarGard filters and decide for yourself if it’s working!

This is what makes the TarGard Permanent Filter system such a great value! With proper care and maintenance, your new Permanent Filter can be used for years and years with hundreds – or even thousands – of cigarettes. 

Yes, to use your TarGard Permanent Filter, simply slide your cigarette into the open end and make sure it is seated snugly.

Yes. TarGard Filters allow you to smoke without making direct contact with the filtered end of your cigarette. TarGard users consistently share with us that this reduces fingertip staining over time.

Yes. Using a TarGard Permanent Filter will allow you to keep your fingers further away from your lit cigarette, significantly reducing your direct contact with smoke. Loyal TarGard users often mention reduced odor on their hands as a benefit of using TarGard products. 

It will depend on the diameter of the cigarette you are smoking. To work reliably, TarGard filters must fit snugly. This means your unfiltered cigarette will need to be very close to the US standard diameter of 7.5mm.  

Our Permanent Filters are 2.25 inches long and .25 inches wide at the mouthpiece end. The internal diameter of the open filter end is .3125 inches (*7.5mm).

TarGard proudly offers a Universal Slim Adapter that allows slim cigarette smokers to use any style of TarGard Cigarette Filter.  Simply slide an affordable Slim Adapter into the open end of any TarGard filter style, then insert your Misty Slim, Virginia Slim or similar slim cigarette into the Adapter opening.  Please note – TarGard Universal Slim Adapters do NOT work with “super slim” cigarette styles. 

TarGard Permanent Filter mouthpieces are made of high-quality, impact-resistant, BPA-free ABS plastic. The gold-colored metal insert is made of anodized aluminum.

Technically, yes.  But the filter will need to be disassembled first and cleaned prior to recycling. ABS plastic is classified as a #7 recyclable plastic (“Other”).  Aluminum is also recyclable via curbside recycling in most areas of the US.

All products – regardless of brand name – purchased through Amazon.com are subject to Amazon’s return policies and processes. Please be aware that this is Amazon’s rule, not ours.

If you are unsatisfied with a TarGard product purchased directly from Amazon.com, please contact Amazon’s Customer Care team directly for assistance:

How to contact Amazon.com Customer Service (USA)

To contact Amazon, go to www.amazon.com/hz/contact-us

How to print out your Amazon.com Customer Invoice

You can print an invoice for any Amazon.com order within Your Amazon Account as soon as your order is shipped.

To print your invoice:

• Go to Your Orders.
• Find your Order, then select Invoice underneath the order number.
• Choose “Print this page for your records” at the top of the order summary.
• Select your browser’s print button.

If you need further assistance, contact Amazon:

• Go to: www.amazon.com/hz/contact-us​

• Log into your Account on the appropriate Amazon site.
• Scroll to the bottom of the page.
• Click AMAZON ASSISTANT, then scroll down to ‘Need Help” and click on Contact Us.

Unfortunately, we do not have the ability to initiate returns, exchanges, or refunds for any purchase made on eBay.com. If you need to return or exchange a TarGard product that you purchased via eBay.com, simply follow these easy guidelines:

• Go to eBay.com, and log into your account.
• Navigate to the My eBay section of Your Account.
• Review your recent orders and find the item you wish to return or exchange in your Purchase History.
• Select “Return This Item” from the menu on the right-hand side of your screen.
• Select your reason for the return and enter a comment about why you’re returning it.
• If the item arrived damaged, broken, or faulty, add up to 10 images relevant to the reason you’re returning the item, highlighting any scratches, damage, or other defects.
• Be sure to follow their Image, video, and text policy when uploading images. 
• Select “Confirm Return”.

All products – regardless of brand name – purchased through Amazon.com are subject to Amazon’s return policies and processes. Please be aware that this is Amazon’s rule, not ours.

If you are unsatisfied with a TarGard product purchased directly from Amazon.com, please contact Amazon’s Customer Care team directly for assistance:

How to contact Amazon.com Customer Service (USA)

To contact Amazon, go to www.amazon.com/hz/contact-us

How to print out your Amazon.com Customer Invoice

You can print an invoice for any Amazon.com order within Your Amazon Account as soon as your order is shipped.

To print your invoice:

• Go to Your Orders.
• Find your Order, then select Invoice underneath the order number.
• Choose “Print this page for your records” at the top of the order summary.
• Select your browser’s print button.

If you need further assistance, contact Amazon:

• Go to: www.amazon.com/hz/contact-us​

How to Track Your Order Using 3^rd Party Tracking Information

If you have access to your Amazon-provided Order Tracking Number, you can visit your shipping carrier’s website (e.g., FedEx, USPS, DHL) and access up-to-date order information by entering your order number.

Currently, all orders for TarGard products placed on eBay.com are shipped out of our TarGard warehouse. Once we ship your item, you will be notified by eBay that it has left our facility, and you will be provided with an order tracking number. Once we upload your tracking information to eBay, you will be able to view carrier information and follow your package online all the way to your chosen delivery address.

Additionally, you will also have the ability to check your order’s delivery status in your eBay.com Purchase History. Each purchased item in your order history will have a clickable tracking number link right next to the item.

 See the link below for more information about eBay’s shipping & tracking information:

Shipping and tracking | eBay

Identifying legitimate TarGard products on Amazon.com and Amazon.ca is easy. Simply make sure that our TarGard logo (*shown below) is prominently displayed on the hero product image, and that the Brand listed on the Product Listing Page says,  Brand: Tar Gard.

Identifying legitimate TarGard products on eBay is easy, too. If the listing is made by VenturiSlipX , you are getting authentic, quality TarGard products. We do not authorize any resellers on eBay.com, be warned, that unless you see this seller on the listing, your purchase may not be an authentic TarGard branded product.

Venturi is a manufacturer/retailer of quality bath/shower accessories and reliable, affordable cigarette filters. Venturi markets and sells products under two established brand names – SlipX Solutions® and TarGard® (together, the “Venturi Products”).

 Venturi recognizes the value to consumers of a retail distribution network that supplies, promotes, and consistently supports Venturi Products. To ensure that Venturi’s end consumers continue to receive a quality sales experience and outstanding customer service/support, Venturi has implemented a formal, mandatory reseller policy (the “Reseller Policy”) to eliminate the unauthorized reselling of Venturi Products via third-party online marketplaces.

“Resellers” shall include:

(i) Any of Venturi’s direct customers, including distributors (“Direct Customers”);

(ii) Any retail customer supplied Venturi Products by any Direct Customer;

(iii) Any other identified unauthorized reseller of Venturi Products regardless of its source for those products.

 Under the Reseller Policy, a Reseller may not advertise or offer Venturi Products for sale, directly, indirectly, or by referral in any manner, on or through any 3rd party retail website, online marketplace, drop-ship or auction site, or any comparable website or mobile app, or on or through any marketing website affiliated with any such site without Venturi’s prior written approval. Examples of such online marketplaces include amazon.com and its associated international marketplaces; eBay.com; Wayfair.com; and jet.com among others. The activity described above and prohibited by this Reseller Policy is referred to herein as Marketplace Reselling.

 The Reseller Policy applies to Marketplace Reselling by or for the benefit of a Reseller under any trade name or DBA used directly or indirectly by the Reseller or any affiliate or associate of the Reseller (without regard to whether Venturi or any Direct Customer is aware of such trade name usage). The Reseller Policy does not apply to or restrict a Reseller’s advertising or offering Venturi Products for sale exclusively on such Reseller’s own proprietary transactional website. If Venturi determines in its sole discretion that there has been a violation of this Reseller Policy and so notifies the Reseller, the Reseller must cease any Marketplace Reselling within five (5) business days of the date the Reseller receives notice from Venturi by removing all offers for Venturi Products on any website as referenced above. If applicable, at its own cost, the Reseller must also immediately retrieve inventory of Venturi Products placed on consignment with any online marketplace and available for Marketplace Reselling. In addition, Venturi may also immediately and without notice refuse to accept or fill orders from the Reseller for a specified period determined by Venturi.

 If any Reseller repeatedly violates the terms of the Reseller Policy and as a result, Venturi believes its relationship with a Reseller may no longer be in Venturi’s best interest, Venturi reserves the right to terminate the commercial relationship, subject to such advance notice as Venturi may provide, in its sole discretion. For any Reseller that acquires Venturi Products from a Direct Customer, Venturi reserves the right to require that the Direct Customer take comparable actions in response to applicable Reseller violations of this Reseller Policy. Failure to do so in a timely manner may subject the Direct Customer to termination of its commercial relationship with Venturi.

The Reseller Policy is a unilateral policy issued by Venturi and is subject to change at any time at Venturi’s sole discretion. It is not a part of or incorporated into any agreement or specific commercial arrangement that Venturi may have with any Reseller. The Reseller Policy applies to any Reseller that resells Venturi Products in the United States and its territories; Canada; or the member states of the European Union, provided that the Reseller Policy will not apply in any jurisdiction to the extent applicable law expressly limits policies such as the Reseller Policy or related policies.