The Threats of Tobacco That You May Not Be Aware Of: Environmental Damages
By Laura O’Connor | Version en français
A recent study put out by the French Department of Public Health states that one million people in France quit smoking last year. If a nation that has historically been so culturally and socially linked to cigarette usage is giving up the practice at such a rapid rate, it reinforces a projection that many have already made — smoking is becoming a practice of the past. This begs the question, what would a smoke-free future look like? Let’s imagine how a world rid of cigarettes would impact our environment & procure a green future.
The environmental damages of tobacco do not receive nearly as much media coverage as the health concerns of tobacco use, however the reality remains that smoking is a firm obstacle to a sustainable future. According the World Health Organization (WHO), the environmental damages of cigarettes begin from the start of their production and last well after they have been disposed of. The study cites a great example of this aftermath — what is the most common litter? You guessed it, cigarette waste, accounting for approximately 12% of all litter. Paris alone clears off enough cigarettes to match the weight of two blue-whales annually. In fact, a survey shows that 77% of respondents didn’t consider cigarette butts to be litter. Not only are cigarette butts litter, but the toxins contained in cigarette filters can enter waterways and cause long-lasting contamination and harm.
The production of cigarettes also poses a threat to a sustainable future, particularly through catastrophic deforestation. It is estimated that 2–4% of global deforestation is attributed to tobacco production. When tobacco is being produced, land cleared to make room for tobacco crops and even more trees are clear-cut in order to dry and cure the tobacco leaves. In total, it is estimated that 600 million trees are cleared and burned annually, mostly in underdeveloped nations where tobacco is primarily produced. This is a tragic loss of valuable ecosystems and animal habitats, as trees are vital in the absorption of carbon dioxide to produce clean air, safe for humans. In fact, the annual loss in trees due to tobacco production is the equivalent to burning approximately 2.8 billion gallons of gasoline — this is a major obstacle in producing a sustainable future, with clean and safe air quality.
The harmful effects of smoking on air quality are not limited to the production phase of tobacco. Approximately 2.6 billion kilograms of carbon monoxide and 5.2 billion kilograms of methane are released into the air annually from cigarettes alone, both of these chemicals being contributing agents to global warming. Air pollution of cigarettes also extends into the phenomenon of third-hand smoke. The best example of third-hand smoke is the way your coat smells after walking by a crowd of smokers.
Cigarettes, from their production to their disposal, have disastrous outcomes on our environment. From threatening marine life and water contamination, to deforestation and air pollution, cigarettes are a clear blockade to a sustainable future. Thus, the fight against tobacco must engage the global community. In addition to the health risks, the environmental effects of tobacco are relevant to everyone.
About UN CC:Learn
UN CC:Learn is a partnership of more than 30 multilateral organizations supporting countries to design and implement systematic, recurrent and results-oriented climate change learning. Through its engagement at the national and global levels, UN CC:Learn contributes to the implementation of climate change training, education and public awareness-raising.
