Overview
Tobacco product waste (TPW) is the discarded material from commercial tobacco consumption. When tobacco product waste breaks down, it leaches heavy metals, cancer-causing chemicals, nicotine, and microplastics into the surrounding soil or water. In fact, cigarette butts are the most littered plastic item in the world.
Many “downstream” or “midstream” solutions, such as cleaning up tobacco product waste or banning smoking in outdoor areas, are important but only address the impacts of tobacco products that have already been sold. Local municipalities often bear the high cost of keeping streets, sidewalks, parks, and playgrounds free of waste because it reaccumulates so quickly. In 2023, a study of tobacco product waste in San Diego County found that 96% of the waste collected had reaccumulated within two months. “Upstream” solutions like plastic cigarette filter bans target the root cause of the problem.
Rapid Response Projects (RRPs)
We ask these questions for this Policy Initiative:
- What do Californians know about the impacts of tobacco product waste?
- What do Californians think about upstream solutions to tobacco product waste?
- How do Californians feel about policy enforcement?
- Are local parks, landscaped areas, and nature preserves impacted by tobacco product waste pollution?
Get Involved
Get InvolvedAre you concerned about the toxic legacy of commercial tobacco in our environment? Whether you work with a community-serving organization, are a tobacco prevention professional, or are a student, we need your help!
Learn more about how to get involved at our Community Research Fair! Register below.
