Environmental impacts of tobacco product waste: An investigation on littering attitudes

Abstract

Cigarette butts are one the most common types of waste. Habits, convenience, lack of ashtrays and bins, accidental discarding of cigarettes due to their small size and the misconception that cigarette butts are biodegradable are just some of the causes associated with this behaviour. Previous studies in several countries show that cigarette butts have become one of improperly disposed waste. The aim of this study is to identify the behaviours and motivations of smokers and to analyse how to dispose of cigarettes after consumption and to quantify the amount of cigarette butts generated by the Romanian population, chosen because its tobacco consumption is very close to the average value of the European Union. To collect these data, a questionnaire was developed, to which respondents from different regions of the country responded. The examination of the questionnaires took place in two stages. Areas of interest were chosen where photos were taken in 2021 November, between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. A total of 184.72 km2 of public open spaces were analysed. We calculated that approximately 3,962,091 out of a total of 4,559,467 residents live in these areas affected by this form of litter. The approach is suitable for replication in similar contexts.