Introduction
Cigarette collection systems comprise of the major ways that several companies including Tobacco manufacturing industries that help as one of the strategies in managing effect of cigarette butts in littering bins that is currently a big challenge in urban areas.
According to Riutta, (2012), it is imperative to address this topic of issues concerning cigarette butts in our daily city lives because of the high negative impact they have on our environment, and thus health being one of the leading causes of preventable deaths. According to health analysts, cigarette butts are made from a fibrous material that is essential to block tar and several other toxic chemicals from a smoker on the other side. In as much the smokers are exposed to some risks through these exposures, the concentration of harmful chemical compositions retain in the butts which happen to litter everywhere in our towns (Winfrey, 2013). Tobacco, and the paper filter made from cellulose acetate stick as remnants on the butt; the residue, therefore, contain soluble chemicals that are highly toxic contributing to significant environmental pollution.
Main cities of Spain, Australia including California in United States of America, and New Zealand cigarette butt is more than a small litter problem. According to statistics on these particular first world countries, the tails contribute at least 30% of all the litter collections on the streets which pose a major concern for life in the urban areas (Coe and Rodgers, 2013). The cigarette is a product from Tobacco that contains several harmful chemical compositions including pesticides, carcinogenic chemicals as well as nicotine which go out to our rivers. The fact that these chemicals are not biodegradable they contribute to a large percentage of deaths in the world that can be preventable (Khatib, 2016).
In the better part of the century, awareness campaigns and public rallies educating the citizens on effects of tobacco smoking; these include respective government policies in the different countries on Tobacco manufacturing companies to highlight clearly a warning message on their products for consumers to be aware. The influence of these campaigns and legislations cannot be underestimated, however, the percentage of smokers that seem to take note of the warning is petite.
A different approach on the same might help in filling the knowledge gap where people need to know that non-smokers are at a greater risk concerning effects of Tobacco more than smokers themselves. Cigarette butts pose a threat to the whole community not only from air pollution by the smoke but a great environmental hazard.
The current state of knowledge in the public is insufficient considering the magnitude of cigarette butts in our environment. There is a need to emphasize on the effect of Tobacco on our environment as a community more than on own lungs and throat issues of smoking. In the United Kingdom, for instance, 122 tons of cigarette butts in total are part of litter every day in the main cities, these include matches and packets of the Tobacco manufacturers. Some Tobacco manufacturing companies in Spain have a requirement from the government to put their wrongs right by taking the initiative to contribute in helping the county councils in cleaning up the butt litter every day in urban areas.
Methodology
There already exists estimate figures from respective county councils through policies by the local government through health sectors to take responsibility in cleaning up the measures. Considering the local government already has legislations concerning littering in their respective divisions, it is possible to access the litter collections at the end of the day to get an estimated number (Khatib, 2016).
Recording of these figures for a minimum of 13 days consecutively in different economic seasons and weather will help in evaluating smoking habits, frequency and how to address the issue. The statistics can then be made available for public viewing and analysis to get the evidence on the impact that faces the community; this method hopes to prompt and invite a majority of the public in the public campaigns and further awareness basing on these statistics and professional scientific recommendations.
In addressing the knowledge gap in the country concerning dire effects of Tobacco on innocent civilians that never come near smokers, public campaigns is necessary. Thorough cleaning up of the butts from residential areas to urban public places as well as awareness campaigns through posters and media advertisements would be instrumental in saving the next generation with regards to health matters. Information on effects of Tobacco for the better part of the century had a focus mainly on the direct impact on the smoker, filters, however, seem to save the individual smoking and indirectly affecting the larger community through the residues. It is necessary to shift concentration from this and address the real impact that the city is currently unconscious. The research focuses on obtaining approximate statistical figures on cigarette butts on litter every single day in the main cities in Spain, Australia, New Zealand, and California in the USA.
Current Results
In one pack of cigarette depending on the Tobacco manufacturing company that determines brand and Tobacco concentration, there are approximately 20 filters in each of the packages that weigh 3.4 grams. According to the research, an estimate of 15 billion packs is sold in a day in these four countries resulting to 2,551,000 kilograms of residue from the filters in the litter. Most of these go into the ground from the respective waste collection sites and end up in water bodies in our community not only polluting water for domestic use but also affecting aquatic life. In a controlled laboratory, for instance, one cigarette butt is enough to kill a fish when exposed to the leachate that soaks in water and produces toxic soup.
Environmental Impact
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) highlights major concern about effects of the cigarette on the environment, for a while air pollution from smoke was the major focus; the EPA through research and statistics of cigarette butt litter points out a cigarette as a primary concern for the environment (Winfrey, 2013). In Australia, for instance, there are six Tobacco manufacturing companies, Spain has three with New Zealand leading with seven companies.
SDS
There are safety procedures that the police as well as council officials together with health professionals and departments of respective Tobacco manufacturing companies go through while collecting the butts, most importantly wearing nose masks, gloves and be keen on where they dispose them after collection.
Statistics & Cost
On an economic perspective according to statistics of cigarette smoking, 1 billion packs of cigarette are sold out each day in the four first world countries. It is beneficial regarding revenue collection for the respective governments. However, there is an effect of family suffering because of diverting finances from basic needs of food and clothing for children because of the smoking addiction pulling down economic development on the another side.
The environment and ultimate healthy living of our community are currently a primary concern of the federal government of the United States of America and the other first world countries including Australia. The research questions focusing on cigarette butts and whether they are an environmental threat or not get answers from these results that provide more information on not the only effect of Tobacco on the smokers but the community as a whole.
Recommendations
The current trend among politicians in these countries after public awareness on the clean and healthy environment is to address these issues in their respective positions to win the majority of the people. Nevertheless, individual Tobacco manufacturing companies in these different countries criticize the results claiming filters are safe. There is, therefore, need for relevant governing bodies to address these issues concerning cigarette butts from both humanity and economic points of view.
Environmental pollution is a major challenge to growth and development of any economy, respective state administrations through local governments should seek to prevent further pollution with cigarette butts that is currently an environmental concern. The health and well being of citizens should be a primary concern for the governments considering the research also highlights impacts that the same has on the economy.
Reference List
Coe, J M & Rodgers D. B. (2013). Marine Debris Sources, Impacts, and Solutions. New York, NY, Springer New York.
Khatib, J. (2016). Energy, environmental & sustainable ecosystem development: International Conference on Energy, Environmental & Sustainable ecosystem Development (EESED). Singapore, World Scientific
Riutta, A. (2012). Cigarette butts and lilacs: tokens of a heritage. Baltimore, Md, Modern English Tanka Press.
Winfery, O. (2013). Can cigarette butts start (bush)fires? Sydney, University of Technology Sydney NSW Fire Brigades.
