Combat cigarette butt littering
Every year in Italy, 14 billion cigarette butts end up in the environment. Cigarette butts contain over 4,000 chemicals, many of which are toxic and carcinogenic, including arsenic, formaldehyde, ammonia, hydrogen cyanide, and nicotine. These toxins seriously damage marine ecosystems. It is estimated that about 65% of smokers do not properly dispose of their cigarette butts, so today a large number of them invade rivers, coasts, and beaches, ending up at sea. Mistaken for food, they are swallowed by birds, fish, turtles, and other marine animals, which can also die from toxin poisoning or suffocation.
Moreover, the experiment conducted by the Tobacco Control Unit shows that the amounts of PM10, fine dust, produced by a locomotive, are equal to those released by five cigarettes in the same time period.
Our commitment
Raise awareness and initiatives to clean cigarette butts from the territory
In addition to countless carcinogenic substances, cigarette butts contain nanoplastic inside them and when scattered in the environment they negatively impact the food chain. We have removed over a million cigarette butts from the environment and sensitized millions of users.
Creation of smoking areas in collaboration with companies and municipalities
Create safe places where the smoker is encouraged to dispose of the butt correctly and does not disturb non-smokers.
From a legal standpoint, we are asking the Government:
Resources for municipalities and associations to combat the phenomenon through greater controls and awareness.
Tightening of the fine for offenders.
