An aerosol-generating article (10)(100)(1000) comprises: an aerosol-generating substrate (12)(112)(1004); a downstream element (42)(150)(1008) provided downstream of the aerosol-generating substrate (12)(112)(1004) and in axial alignment with the aerosol-generating substrate, the downstream element comprising a cellulosic filtration material. The fibrous material comprises a plurality of regenerated cellulose fibres selected from one or more of viscose fibres, modal fibres, Lyocell fibres and viscose rayon fibres; or a plurality of natural fibres selected from one or more of flax fibres, hemp fibres, jute fibres, kenaf fibres, ramie fibres, abaca fibres, phormium fibres, sisal fibres, coir fibres, cotton fibres, and kapok fibres. The cellulosic fibrous material further comprises an additive coating applied to the plurality of regenerated cellulose or natural fibres, the additive coating comprising at least 5 percent by weight of exogenous lignin on a dry weight basis.

Filters and filter media are provided that comprise a paper substrate. Methods of making the filters and filter media, and products containing the filter, such as smoking articles and vaping articles, are also provided. The paper substrate comprises a monolayer base web having a first portion and a second portion. the first portion and the second portion are disposed adjacent each other along a thickness direction of the monolayer base web. The fibers of the first portion are intermeshed with the fibers of the second portion in a transition zone. The second portion may comprise more fibers, in terms of mass per unit area, than the first portion. the density of the paper substrate may be from about 200 mg/cm.sup.3 to about 300 mg/cm.sup.3.