Abstract: The smoking article disclosed includes a novel filter for removing a substantial portion of the potentially harmful tars, resins, nicotine, etc. from the tobacco smoke from the smoking article. The novel filter comprises an assemblage of crimped, cellulose acetate fibers and includes first and second zones having elongated, elliptical traverse crosssections and a transition zone therebetween. A portion of the fibers in the first zone and a portion of the fibers in the transition zone are orientated transversely to the longitudinal axis of the filter.