Tobacco doesn’t just harm people—it harms the environment, too. From the pollution created during production to the billions of cigarette butts littering our communities, tobacco waste threatens our air, water, and shared public spaces.

The number one most littered item worldwide

Outdoors

Tobacco’s impact extends far beyond the people who use it. From the moment it’s grown to the moment it becomes waste, tobacco leaves a lasting environmental footprint. Tobacco farming contributes to deforestation and soil depletion, while manufacturing and distribution add to global pollution. Even after use, tobacco products continue to harm ecosystems through toxic chemicals that leach into waterways and soil.

Cigarette butts are the most littered item on the planet, and they’re far from harmless. Made of plastic filters that never fully break down, they release nicotine, heavy metals, and other toxins as they weather. These chemicals threaten wildlife, contaminate water sources, and degrade the appearance of our shared public spaces. Addressing tobacco’s environmental impact is essential to creating healthier, cleaner, and more sustainable communities for everyone.

Sign the petition

E-cigarette Disposal

Improper vape disposal is becoming a growing environmental concern. Unlike traditional cigarette waste, vapes contain batteries, plastic, metal, and toxic chemicals that can leak into soil and water when thrown in the trash or littered. As vaping grows in popularity, the volume of this hazardous waste increases—raising important questions about safety, recycling, and the long-term impact on our environment.

De-glamorize tobacco

Reality Check aims to expose the tobacco industry and de-normalize and de-glamorize tobacco use. Interested in becoming part of Reality Check and creating a tobacco-free generation?

Contact Hannah Lee, Program Director
at 585-666-1403 or hannah.lee@lung.org