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10.16 The environmental impact of tobacco use
Foreword

Relevant news and research: The environmental impact of tobacco use

Ferreira-Griz, J. A., Taniguchi, S., Bicego, M. C., Castro, I. B. and Zanardi-Lamardo, E. (2026). Filtered threats: The impact of cigarette butt leachate on marine life. Mar Pollut Bull, 119319. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41579849


Moon, L. and Boettcher, L. (2026). Litter Report FY25. . Available from: https://www.cleanup.org.au/litter-report/


Ribeiro, V. V., Szklo, A. S., Grilo, G., Rangel, D. F., Welding, K., Pinho, M., Andreis, M. and Castro, I. B. (2026). Cigarette butts of a major Brazilian city linked to deprivation and urban infrastructure. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41535650


Tan, Q., Li, J., Liu, L., Zhan, K. and Shi, G. (2026). Neglected plastic waste from discarded cigarette butts: A case study on hazards identification in typical regions in China. Environ Res, 123712. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41519289


Lomngam, P., Hiscock, R., Evans-Reeves, K. and Matthes, B. K. (2025). The tobacco industry at the health-environment nexus: a framing analysis of the UK 'disposable' e-cigarette ban. Health Promot Int, 6. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41429913


Pulvers, K., Nordskog, A. B., Shearer, H., Smith, C., Stewart, S. L., Novotny, T. E. and Tong, E. K. (2025). Modifying Tobacco and Cannabis Waste Perceptions and Behavior Among Young Adults: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Res Protoc, e79525. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41343823


Radmanesh Manbohi, A., Taheri, M., Rahnama, R. and Hamzeh, M. A. (2025). From litter distribution to bioaccumulation: assessing cigarette butt-derived metal uptake by south Caspian Sea macroalgae. Mar Pollut Bull, 119131. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41389582


Yu, B., Pan, Y., Meng, J., Wu, H., Sun, Z., Du, C., Shuai, C., Chen, N., Wang, K. and Xu, Z. (2025). Assessing sustainability effects of tobacco use and control in global supply chains. Nat Commun. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41407699


Kennedy, R. D., Walker, E. K., Kaur, H. and Welding, K. (2025). A global media scan on plastic waste using Tobacco Watcher: Opportunities for tobacco control. Tob Induc Dis. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41180459


Lian, H., Xu, C., Xu, P., Tong, D., Li, Z., Cheng, X., Zhang, K. and Xiang, X. (2025). Cigarette butts: A hidden toxic time bomb for aquatic metabolism and behavior. Environ Pollut, 127321. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41284497


East, K., Taylor, E. V., McNeill, A., Gravely, S., Bunce, L. and Cheeseman, H. (2025). Banning cigarette filters in the United Kingdom: Time to correct misperceptions of harms. Addiction. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41089041


Gravely, S., Cummings, K. M., East, K. A., Roberts, M. E., Freitas-Lemos, R., Kock, L., Liber, A. C., Kyriakos, C. N., Seidenberg, A. B., Fong, G. T. and Novotny, T. E. (2025). Tackling the "filter fraud": a call for policy action to address environmental and health harms caused by cigarette filters. Nicotine Tob Res. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41091841


Mohammadi, A., Bahrani, F., De-la-Torre, G. E., Saeedi, R., Renner, G., Schmidt, T. C. and Dobaradaran, S. (2025). Cigarette filters as a major source of microfibers in aquatic environments. Sci Rep, 1, 36980. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41125695


Stri, F., Uehara, T., Tsuge, T., Prima Citta, S. and Asari, M. (2025). Designing a deposit-refund system for cigarette butts: What do smokers care about?. PLoS One, 10, e0335205. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41124217


Xu, J. Y., Yu, Y. T., Du, S., Shen, L. Q., Zhang, Q., Qian, H., Cai, T. G., Wang, Y. F., Zhao, J., Li, H. Z., Zhang, C. and Zhu, D. (2025). Discarded cigarette butts as overlooked reservoirs and amplifiers of antibiotic resistance genes and pathogens in urban green spaces. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 44, e2525377122. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41144667


Blake, A. (2025). Campaign to cut cigarette litter targets race fans. BBC News,  ,  . Available from: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce83p1w517ko


Diaz-Mendoza, C., Mouthon-Bello, J., Botero, C. M., Villegas, J. V. and Gutierrez, L. (2025). Temporal analysis of cigarette butt accumulation on a touristic beach in Cartagena, Colombia. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40767902


Livingstone-Banks, J. and Hartmann-Boyce, J. (2025). Cigarette filters do nothing for smokers’ health and just create plastic pollution – they should be banned. The Conversation,  ,  . Available from: https://theconversation.com/cigarette-filters-do-nothing-for-smokers-health-and-just-create-plastic-pollution-they-should-be-banned-263374


Ozcelik, N. (2025). Tobacco-Related Microplastic Exposure: An Overlooked Respiratory Hazard. Tob Use Insights, 1179173X251366004. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40787578


Sy, D. K., Momas, C., Beguinot, E., Arnold, D., van Kalmthout, D. and Olefir, L. (2025). Turning tobacco Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) into Extended Producer Liability (EPL): critical safeguards for the UN Plastics Treaty. Tob Control. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40796280


Babaei, N., Kabirinia, F., Nahafpoor, A. A. and Bonyadi, Z. (2025). Assessment of cigarette butt pollution and its Spatial distribution in Northeastern Iran. Sci Rep, 1, 26314. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40685443


Bakr, Z., Aboulnasr, G. N., El-Aal, M. A., Elshimy, N. A. and Said, S. M. (2025). Ecotoxicological effects of cellulose acetate nanoplastic derived from cigarette butts on earthworm (Allolobophora caliginosa): Implications for soil health. Environ Res, 122189. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40553715


Friuli, M., Grazioli, C., Sattar, N., Zia, J., Sole, R. D., Mergola, L., Pal, S., Licciulli, A., Demitri, C., Sannino, A. and Lamanna, L. (2025). Eco-friendly recovery of cellulose acetate from combusted cigarette filters and reuse for membrane fabrication. Waste Manag, 114915. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40472398


Sniadach, J., Kicman, A., Szymkowiak, S. and Waszkiewicz, N. (2025). The Hidden Threat of Microplastics in Traditional Cigarettes: A Narrative Review of Health and Environmental Risks. J Clin Med, 11. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40507482


Feizi, R., Reshadatian, N., Haghighat, M., Sabaghan, M., Feyzi Kamareh, T., Malekzadeh, H., Jaafarzadeh, N. and Jorfi, S. (2025). Estimation of concentration and risk assessment of PAHs in urban water resources due to cigarette butt littering. Sci Rep, 1, 16525. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40360614


Yang, K., Cheng, C., Yan, Y., Wu, Q. and Du, R. (2025). Effect of Waste Cigarette Butt Fibers on the Properties and CO(2) Footprint of Bitumen. Materials (Basel), 9. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40363560


Cho, H., Sung, S. E., Lim, H., Chung, S., Kim, Y. J., Lim, H. B. and Kim, Y. (2025). Toxicological assessment of cigarette filter-derived microplastics in Daphnia magna. J Hazard Mater, 138368. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40280057


Diaz-Mendoza, C., Mouthon-Bello, J., Botero, C. M., Acevedo-Barrios, R. and Gutierrez, L. (2025). Microbiological analysis of cigarette butts and cigarette butt fibers on a tourist beach in Cartagena, Colombia. Sci Rep, 1, 14510. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40280953


Dolar, A., Music, B., Skalar, T., Marolt, G., Drobne, D., Skapin, A. S. and Jemec Kokalj, A. (2025). Microplastics from cigarette filters: Comparative effects on selected terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates. Environ Pollut, 126199. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40185183


Herrera-Puerta, C. F., Suspes-Garcia, S., Galindres-Jimenez, D. M., Cifuentes-Galindres, D., Tinoco, L. E., Moreno Pirajan, J. C., Gutierrez, L. G. and Murillo-Acevedo, Y. (2025). Exploring the thermal decomposition of cigarette butts and its role in chromium adsorption processes. Heliyon, 3, e42162. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40196775


de Souza Rosa, H., Moreno, B. B., Zanardi-Lamardo, E., de Aragao Soares Griz, J., Moreira, L. B., Medeiros, I. D. and Castro, I. B. (2025). Cigarette butt leachates induce alterations in gene expression and damage in health status of tropical oysters. Mar Pollut Bull, 117858. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40120359


Harakati, H. E., Moutataouia, M., Arajli, A. A., Chakri, N., Hlaibi, M. and Kamil, N. (2025). Development of new zinc silver phosphate and cellulose derived from cigarette butt-based photocatalysts for dye degradation. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40156704


Sadic, E. and Celik, T. A. (2025). Environmental hazards of light cigarette butts and filters: physiological, cytotoxic, and genotoxic assessment using the Allium cepa L. assay. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 13, 8415-8425. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40072760


Chaffee, B. W., Farooq, O., Couch, E. T., Donaldson, C. D., Cheng, N. F., Gansky, S. A. and Zhang, X. (2025). Inequitable exposure to tobacco product litter among adolescents in California, USA. Tob Prev Cessat. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39931052


Clean Up Australia (2025). Litter Report FY24. . Available from: https://irp.cdn-website.com/ed061800/files/uploaded/CleanUpAustralia_LitterReport_FY24_FINAL.pdf


Dantas, D. V., Mendes, G. and Gentil, E. (2025). Cigarette butts contamination influence by peak season along an urban Brazilian beach. Environ Monit Assess, 3, 302. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39961899


Venohr, M., Beusch, C., Goldhammer, T., Nguyen, H. H., Podschun, S., Schmalsch, C. and Wolter, C. (2025). Spatial distribution of nicotine concentrations in Berlin's surface waters and their potential sources. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40014245


Nguyen, M. K., Pham, M. T., Anh, N. T., Nguyen, D., Van Tri, D., La, D. D., Chang, S. W. and Nguyen, D. D. (2025). Exploring cigarette butts pollution in Vung Tau beaches: A case study in Vietnam. Mar Pollut Bull, 117539. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39798522


Arfaeinia, H., Masjedi, M. R., Asgariyan, R., Soleimani, F., Alipour, V., Dadipoor, S., Saeedi, R., Jahantigh, A. and Maryamabadi, A. (2024). Release of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) from cigarette butts into the aquatic environment: Levels and ecotoxicity. Heliyon, 20, e39046. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39640668


Couto, S., Rodrigues, S., Patrao, R., Vieira, M., Antunes, S. C. and Pinheiro, C. (2024). Impact of cigarette butts elutriates on Artemia franciscana in a climate change context. Mar Pollut Bull, 117345. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39637590


Deng, M., Basak, P., Zhang, Y., Song, J. and Suo, H. (2024). An update in recent research on nicotine contamination and nicotine-degrading microorganisms. Toxicon, 108209. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39662531


Diaz-Mendoza, C., Mouthon-Bello, J., Botero, C. M. and Gutierrez, L. (2024). Preliminary analysis of the presence of metals and metalloids in cigarette butts and fibers discarded on a tourist beach in Cartagena, Colombia. Environ Monit Assess, 1, 106. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39725728


Kouhi, K., Abbasi-Tajaddod, A. and Gholami-Borujeni, F. (2024). Assessing cigarette butt pollution on recreational beaches: A comparative study of two sampling methods and their impact on metal release. Mar Pollut Bull, 117416. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39667132


Earlier news and research

For news items and research on this topic earlier than 2025, click here.

Intro
Chapter 2