Cigarette litter is a real challenge for communities across the U.S. Lack of awareness, lack of ash receptacles, and ordinances that move smokers outdoors all increase cigarette littering. Individuals who would never litter beverage cans or paper packaging typically do not consider tossing cigarette butts on the ground littering.

Dropping partially-smoked cigarettes, cigarette butts, matches, lighters, and packaging to the ground is littering. And it’s adding up. During the Ocean Conservancy’s Annual International Coastal Cleanup, communities reported that cigarette butts were the most littered item—representing over 34% of the items collected.(1)

Cigarette Litter and the Environment »

Cigarette Litter Attitudes and Behavior »

(1) Ocean Conservancy Annual International Coastal Cleanup, 2003;
results from U.S. statistics only.