The microplastics found in cigarettes have proven to be an unobvious danger to the environment and human health. Harmful effects of tobacco smoking on people and the planet called UN experts.
According to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), more than six trillion cigarettes are produced annually in the world, the filters of which often contain microplastics – fibers of acetate and cellulose. Cigarette butts are rarely disposed of properly and decompose on the Earth’s surface in the presence of sunlight and moisture, releasing microplastics, heavy metals and other toxic chemicals into the atmosphere.
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Cigarette butts account for over 776,000 tons of toxic waste every year. Such waste is one of the most common on the beaches and often leads to the death of birds, fish, mammals, reptiles and plants. Microplastics from cigarettes are also dangerous for humans – inhaling it can provoke genetic changes, problems with brain development and other serious diseases.
To draw attention to the problem, UNEP and the Secretariat of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control have launched a campaign against plastic waste. As a possible solution, experts have proposed the creation of biodegradable cigarette filters from natural materials. The authors of the initiative plan to involve celebrities in the fight against pollution of the planet, as well as promote the introduction of a clear labeling of all tobacco products with plastic filters.
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