Cigarette butts are one of the most commonly discarded waste items in the world, and they’re not just unsightly; they’re also hazardous to the environment. Researchers at the University of Gothenburg have found that cigarette filters contain thousands of toxic chemicals and microplastic fibers that can harm aquatic larvae and other organisms. The EU has classified cigarette filters as hazardous waste, and as of this year, tobacco producers are responsible for cleaning them up. However, many smokers still throw their cigarette butts on the ground, even when ashtrays are available.
In a recent study published in the journal Microplastics and Nanoplastics, researchers tested the effects of toxins found in cigarette filters on aquatic mosquito larvae. The study found that these toxins increased the mortality rate of mosquito larvae by 20%. Additionally, previous research has shown that the toxins in cigarette filters can be harmful to fish and other aquatic organisms. Fish exposed to the toxins exuded by only two cigarette butts in one liter of water for four days can die.
Furthermore, cigarette filters are a major source of microplastics that pollute the environment. Microplastics have a significant negative impact on biological life, and they’re found in many products, including cosmetics and cleaning agents.
Professor Bethanie Carney Almroth, an ecotoxicologist at the University of Gothenburg, believes that there are no good arguments for filters to remain a component of cigarettes. She and other experts argue in the magazine Science of the Total Environment that cigarette butts are not effective at protecting smokers and are merely a marketing ploy. Instead, they recommend banning cigarette filters altogether to prevent environmental harm.
In addition to cleaning up cigarette butt litter, Professor Carney Almroth’s team is conducting a survey of plastic litter across Sweden with community science. This survey will provide better data on where and how many cigarette butts and other problematic plastic products are found in the environment.
In conclusion, cigarette butts are hazardous waste that harms aquatic life and pollutes the environment. Tobacco producers’ responsibility for cleaning up cigarette butts is a step in the right direction, but a complete ban on cigarette filters is necessary to prevent further harm to the environment.