Not quite. They can swallow paper towels. Believe me. A few years ago I caught one of my hatchling het clown females with about 90% of a sheet down. Got to her just before she finished the last little bit. I have also seen a green tree python hatching die from swallowing a paper towel.
I actually had a nightmare that my snake was eating paper towel. Strange!
I have never actually heard of a ball python eat paper towels. usually they are smart enough to let go...maybe not!