March 23, 2011 - According to recent environmental cleanup reports, over 2 million cigarettes and cigarette filters are picked up from beaches and waterways annually around the world. The United States accounts for over 1 million of those alone. Lighters, cigar tips, and tobacco packages were also found in large amounts. The report suggested that cigarette trash is the leading littered item found in the country, both in waterways and on the streets. The impact of cigarette trash is huge, and experts believe that smokers might not realize the breadth of their actions. The plastic filters in cigarettes as well as the remaining tobacco are toxic to the environment and living organisms. These non-biodegradable products have even more consequences, including deforestation, wild fires, and hazardous manufacturing. It is important to consider the impact tobacco has on the environment, as it falls on both smokers and non-smokers to protect it.

For more information, please see: http://www.healthnewsdigest.com/news/Environment_380/Snuffing_Out_Toxic_Tobacco_Waste.shtml