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From Plant to Waste: The Long and Diverse Impact Chain Caused by Tobacco Smoking

Author

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  • Maria Christina B. Araújo

    (Departamento de Oceanografia e Limnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Via Costeira S/N, Praia de Mãe Luíza, Natal 59014-100, Brazil)

  • Monica F. Costa

    (Departamento de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Av. Arquitetura, s/n, Recife 50740-550, Brazil)

Abstract

Smoking is a social phenomenon of global scope. The impacts start from the cultivation of the plant to the disposal of cigarette butts in the most diverse places. These aspects go beyond economic and public health issues, also affecting natural environments and their biota in a serious and indistinct way. Of the six trillion cigarettes consumed globally each year, four and a half trillion are disposed somewhere in the environment. Cigarette butts are predominantly plastic, non-biodegradable waste, prevalent in coastal environments in various parts of the world, and with high potential for generating impacts on a wide range of socioeconomic and environmental aspects. Among the 5000 compounds found in a cigarette, those with higher toxic potential are mainly concentrated in the filter and in tobacco remnants, which are items found in discarded cigarette butts. After surveying published studies on this topic, the present study addressed the interaction between the impacts related to tobacco smoking, highlighting the problem as an important and emerging issue that demands joint efforts, and actions especially focused on the reduction of environmental impacts, an aspect that has not yet been assessed.

Suggested Citation

  • Maria Christina B. Araújo & Monica F. Costa, 2019. "From Plant to Waste: The Long and Diverse Impact Chain Caused by Tobacco Smoking," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-9, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:15:p:2690-:d:252415
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Thomas E. Novotny & Kristen Lum & Elizabeth Smith & Vivian Wang & Richard Barnes, 2009. "Cigarettes Butts and the Case for an Environmental Policy on Hazardous Cigarette Waste," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 6(5), pages 1-15, May.
    2. Jessica M. Rath & Rebecca A. Rubenstein & Laurel E. Curry & Sarah E. Shank & Julia C. Cartwright, 2012. "Cigarette Litter: Smokers’ Attitudes and Behaviors," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 9(6), pages 1-15, June.
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