Chum has filter tips and I object (6)
I believe the answer is:
friend
'chum' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'filter tips and i object' is the wordplay.
'tips' suggests removing the centre (just the outer letters of the world).
'and' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'object' becomes 'end' (both can mean a goal or purpose).
'filter' with its centre removed is 'fr'.
'fr'+'i'+'end'='FRIEND'
'has' is the link.
(Other definitions for friend that I've seen before include "Quaker - pal" , "China" , "Supporter of cause" , "Close associate" , "allowed to pass by the guard" .)