Speaking for myself, I find filters to function primarily to reduce steam, additives in the tobacco that create a bitter or acidic effect, and pieces of tobacco that are pulled into the pipe and mouth. At times I have had to pull a filter because for whatever reasons it was creating more of a moisture issue than it was preventing. When, on rare occasion, I overdo my smoking while with good company for an evening, a carbon filter allows me to enjoy a bole more than I generally could have. For many tobaccos I use no filters at all, while others I would not smoke without one.
My old scandanavian hunting buddy, George, used to love to enjoy habanero and mayo sanwiches on white bread. I broke out in a rash just watching him consume them with great gusto and obvious satisfaction. 8O
Everyone has different tolerances, levels of enjoyment, and prejudices. It is only natural that these flow over into the hobby of pipe smoking. I would encourage those new to the hobby to be open to trying things. Find what works for you and do not be prejudiced for or against issues before trying them. Keep an open mind to everything or risk missing an aspect of the pipe which might have increased your personal enjoyment of pipe smoking. There tend to be many "rules". Some of which come from fact while many others come from someone else's personal preference. :roll: