The function, definition and classification of special cigarette filter were introduced. The development of special cigarette filters, such as carbon filter, biological filter, aluminate silicate filter, catalyst filter, flavoring filter, and other additive filters, at home and abroad and their functions in cigarette flavoring and risk reducing were reviewed in terms of function and additives. It was concluded that the cigarette market was no longer satisfied with the monofunctional special filter containing only one additive as government regulations on cigarette became stricter and stricter and the consumers increasingly concerned about the issue of smoking and health. The special filters are developing from monofunctional filter containing one additive to multifunctional filter containing two or more additives. It was suggested to increase the input in special filter development and stress the study on the characteristics of various kinds of additives for cigarette filter in order to understand their properties in tar and risk reducing, application methods and rates, and production costs. Thereby, the special filter with multifunction and high efficiency of harmful components reducing, especially the special filter which is capable of flavoring cigarette and reducing numerous harmful components, could be developed by selecting right additive combination according to the requirements of market and cigarette design.