California County Considers Banning Sale of Filtered Cigarettes

In California, Santa Cruz County is considering an ordinance that would ban the sale of filtered tobacco products in the cities of Capitola, Watsonville, Scotts Valley and Santa Cruz and their unincorporated areas.[1].

In May 2023, the county government had already unanimously adopted a resolution recognising that tobacco waste poses a threat to health and the environment and had set up an ad hoc committee to study the issue.

Cigarette Butts Are a Major Source of Pollution in Santa Cruz County

Cigarette butts are the most common type of litter found in Santa Cruz County rivers and beaches, according to the county health department. Cigarette butts are made of cellulose acetate, a single-use, non-biodegradable plastic that breaks down into microplastics. These litters accumulate in aquatic environments and end up in many marine organisms, causing a massive sea-level scourge, according to environmental organizations.[2]. The Department of Health reminds that cigarette butts are not only litter, but also toxic waste, which releases dangerous chemicals such as lead, arsenic and nicotine into the environment. Improperly disposed of cigarette butts poison marine flora and fauna. They also pose a fire hazard. In addition, filters, contrary to the term itself, do not actually filter harmful chemicals from cigarette smoke and do not have a proven protective effect on the health of smokers.

Banning filters is the only solution to reduce plastic pollution from this waste

The county believes that only banning the sale of filtered cigarettes would reduce plastic pollution from these products. The ad hoc committee will be tasked with developing policies, including drafting an ordinance banning the sale of plastic-filtered tobacco products in Santa Cruz County, which the local government is expected to discuss by January 2025.

Many health and environmental stakeholders are lobbying to ban all cigarette filters worldwide. Around a hundred NGOs, united within the Stop Tobacco Pollution Alliance (STPA), are also participating in the ongoing negotiations for the future treaty aimed at combating plastic pollution. They are demanding that this text include tobacco products as avoidable pollution, with a ban on cigarette filters and other plastic filters used for tobacco products. They are also calling for the inclusion of new products such as electronic cigarettes.[3] within the regulatory scope of the treaty.

California, a vanguard in the fight against smoking

California has long been at the forefront of tobacco control legislation in the country and even the world. The state has one of the lowest smoking rates in the country (11%), second only to Utah (9%). Enforcement has been stepped up in recent years, both at the state and city levels. In 2021, the cities of Beverly Hills and Manhattan Beach, California, implemented a complete ban on the sale of all tobacco products.[4]. A local bill is also under consideration in the California Congress aimed at banning the sale of tobacco products to people born in 2007 or later throughout the state.[5]In 2023, San Mateo County voted unanimously to strengthen penalties against retailers who sell cigarettes and other tobacco products to minors.[6]Several California cities have also recently banned the sale of flavored tobacco and vaping products.

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[1] In the United States, "unincorporated areas" are those parts of a county whose lack of urbanization, low population density, and rural isolation do not warrant incorporation as a municipality. Such areas are generally under the direct authority of the county administrator.

[2] Slaughter E, Gersberg RM, Watanabe K, Rudolph J, Stransky C, Novotny TE. Toxicity of cigarette butts, and their chemical components, to marine and freshwater fish. Tob Control. 2011 May;20 Suppl 1(Suppl_1):i25-9. doi: 10.1136/tc.2010.040170. Erratum in: Tob Control. 2011 Nov;20(6):418. PMID: 21504921; PMCID: PMC3088407.

[3] Generation without tobacco, Plastic treaty: strong support from countries for banning cigarette filters during negotiations, published May 4, 2024, accessed July 16, 2024

[4] Generation without tobacco, Two California cities ban the sale of tobacco products, published January 8, 2021, accessed July 16, 2024

[5] Generation without tobacco, California wants to become the first US state to completely ban tobacco sales, published March 28, 2023, accessed July 16, 2024

[6] Generation without tobacco, California County Tightens Penalties Against Tobacco Sales to Minors, published on May 13, 2023, consulted on July 16, 2024