Cigarette butts are among the most common types of litter found in nature. During our Clean-Up events, one-third of the collected waste consists of cigarette butts. Worldwide, an estimated 4.5 trillion cigarette butts¹ are thrown into the environment every year! Due to their small size, they can be carried thousands of kilometers by wind and waterways. A cigarette butt discarded in the Swiss mountains can therefore end up in the ocean.

This situation is particularly problematic given their toxicity. It is estimated that a single cigarette butt contains around 5,000 chemical compounds, including more than 150 substances² known to be toxic to the environment. Among them are arsenic, nicotine, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and heavy metals. In addition, the cigarette filter is mainly composed of cellulose acetate, a synthetic polymer that is barely biodegradable³, and can remain in nature for several years.

This situation is particularly problematic given their toxicity. It is estimated that a single cigarette butt contains around 5,000 chemical compounds, including more than 150 substances² known to be toxic to the environment. Among them are arsenic, nicotine, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and heavy metals. In addition, the cigarette filter is mainly composed of cellulose acetate, a synthetic polymer that is barely biodegradable³, and can remain in nature for several years.

This pollution has negative impacts on biodiversity⁵, especially on aquatic ecosystems. A study found that a single cigarette butt can kill half of the small fish living in one liter of water⁶. Furthermore, some of the toxic substances are bioaccumulative and can end up in our food.

So, what can we do? While the best solution is not to smoke at all, here are some tips to prevent cigarette butts from becoming a source of pollution:

• Dispose of your cigarette butts only in bins or ashtrays provided for this purpose in resorts, at ski lifts, and in restaurants.
• Use a portable ashtray, such as the Ecobox offered by Summit Foundation.
• Keep your cigarette butts with you until you can dispose of them properly.

Together, let's work towards a clean, cigarette-butt-free mountain.

1. Tiny But Deadly: Your Butt on Plastic - Earth Day
2. Araújo, M. C. B., & Costa, M. F. (2019). From Plant to Waste: The Long and Diverse Impact Chain Caused by Tobacco Smoking. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(15), 2690. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16152690
3. Vanapalli, K.R. et al. (2023) 'Cigarettes butt littering: The story of the world's most littered item from the perspective of pollution, remedial actions, and policy measures', Journal of Hazardous Materials, 453, p. 131387. doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131387.
4. https://www.centreecotox.ch/media/194908/2019_zigarettenstummel_fr.pdf
5. Beutel, M.W.; Harmon, T.C.; Novotny, T.E.; Mock, J.; Gilmore, M.E.; Hart, S.C.; Traina, S.; Duttagupta, S.; Brooks, A.; Jerde, C.L.; et al. A Review of Environmental Pollution from the Use and Disposal of Cigarettes and Electronic Cigarettes: Contaminants, Sources, and Impacts. Sustainability 2021, 13, 12994. https://doi.org/10.3390/su132312994
6. Slaughter E, Gersberg RM, Watanabe K, et al Toxicity of cigarette butts, and their chemical components, to marine and freshwater fish Tobacco Control 2011;20:i25-i29.