Every year, trillions of cigarette butts are carelessly discarded, becoming a significant source of pollution. Though small and often overlooked, they take years to break down, polluting land and water. Additionally, the health risks they pose continue to grow.

The Rise of Cigarette Consumption

Around 6.5 trillion cigarettes are sold annually, equating to 18 billion cigarettes each day. While the majority of a cigarette disintegrates when smoked, the filters, also known as butts, persist. An estimated two-thirds of these butts are improperly disposed of, ending up on streets and in natural environments.

Composition and Environmental Impact

Cigarette filters are made from cellulose acetate, a type of plastic. When discarded, they release not only plastic but also harmful chemicals and heavy metals. This combination of pollutants makes cigarette butts the top plastic polluters globally. In India alone, during 2021-22, approximately 113 billion cigarette sticks were produced, leading to the disposal of more than 100 billion cigarette butts. This translates to roughly 274 million cigarette butts discarded into the environment every single day.

Historical Context and Health Concerns

The popularity of cigarettes surged in the 20th century, with American adults smoking an average of 54 cigarettes per year in 1900, a number that skyrocketed to over 4,000 by 1960. Historically, cigarettes did not have filters. Only in the 1950s did the tobacco industry introduce filters as a purportedly 'healthier' alternative.

However, as per a WHO report, claims that filtered cigarettes were 'healthier' are incorrect. The filters only make smoking easier and less harsh, increasing both the risk of addiction for smokers and the overall burden of tobacco waste. Today, cellulose acetate remains the primary material for filters, which can take years to degrade and release harmful microplastics into the environment. Cigarette smoking is now a leading cause of preventable death worldwide, linked to numerous diseases, including lung cancer, heart disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Did you know?

• Tobacco kills more than 8 million people each year, with over 7 million deaths resulting from direct tobacco use and about 1.2 million from exposure to second-hand smoke.
• Smoking is responsible for about 90% of lung cancer deaths and increases the risk of heart disease by 2-4 times.
• Cigarette smoke contains over 7,000 chemicals, at least 70 of which are known to cause cancer in humans and animals.

Environmental Degradation

Cigarette butts take years to degrade, breaking down into microplastics that pose a severe threat to marine life and ecosystems. In laboratory tests, cigarette butts have been shown to harm aquatic organisms, and the toxins they release can remain in the environment long after the butts themselves degrade.

• A single cigarette requires about 3.7 liters of water over its life cycle, contributing to water scarcity in many tobacco-growing regions.
• The tobacco industry's carbon footprint from production, processing, and transportation is equivalent to one-fifth of the CO2 produced by the commercial airline industry each year.
• Cigarette filters are made of cellulose acetate, a plastic that can take up to 10 years to decompose, releasing toxic chemicals into the environment during this process.
• Each year, the tobacco industry costs the world 600 million trees, 22 billion tonnes of water, and 84 million tonnes of CO2.
• Tobacco requires up to eight times more water than crops like tomatoes or potatoes. For every kilogram (kg) of tobacco that is not produced, consumed, and disposed of, the potable water needs of one person can be met for an entire year.

Economic Burden of Cleanup

In India, the cost of cleaning up littered tobacco products is approximately US$766 million annually, highlighting the significant economic impact of this pollution.

Innovative Solutions and Legislative Efforts

Some companies are exploring more sustainable filter materials, and initiatives like TerraCycle are working to recycle cigarette butts. Legislative measures, such as San Francisco's additional cigarette taxes, aim to cover cleanup costs and reduce littering. Bans on smoking in public spaces, as seen in many countries, also help mitigate the problem. In India, urban local bodies are enforcing laws and fines against littering and smoking bans in public places and beaches to compensate for the costs of cleaning up and disposing of cigarette waste.

Correct Way to Dispose of Cigarettes

Proper disposal of cigarette butts is crucial to minimize environmental impact:

• Fully extinguish the cigarette to prevent fire hazards.
• Use designated cigarette disposal units or ashtrays where available.
• Never throw cigarette butts on the ground or out of car windows.
• At home, dispose of cold cigarette butts in the trash, not in compost or recycling bins.

Addressing the Problem

Tackling cigarette butt pollution requires a multifaceted approach, including raising awareness, enforcing regulations, and promoting recycling programs. Encouraging smokers to use proper disposal units and campaigns like Nitri Datta’s ButtRush, which collected nearly one crore cigarette butts in 2021, can significantly help reduce litter.

Conclusion

Cigarettes have become a global health and environmental crisis. Their impact highlights the need for comprehensive action. We can work towards a healthier, cleaner future by combining policy measures, innovation, and individual responsibility.