Cigarette filters
Filters contain plastic. They can take years to break down and release toxic chemicals as they weather.
Read moreTobacco and the environment
Tobacco products harm people and the planet through toxic plastics, chemical pollution and waste across their lifecycle—damaging ecosystems and shifting costs onto communities and governments.
GGTC reportTobacco’s Toxic PlasticsA Global Outlook
Featured resource
Tobacco’s Toxic Plastics: A Global Outlook
GGTC’s analysis of tobacco’s plastic footprint and the opportunity to tackle it.
Download the ReportEnvironmental harm
From production to disposal, tobacco harms the environment and creates costs for people and societies.
Use and exposureTobacco smoke and waste release toxic substances that affect air, soil, and water.
Products and materialsFilters, vapes, and packaging use plastics and other materials that persist in the environment.
Waste and pollutionDiscarded products pollute streets, beaches, rivers, and oceans, leaching harmful chemicals.
Public costsGovernments and communities pay for cleanup, waste management, and environmental impacts.
What does tobacco plastic pollution cost your country?
See estimates of cleanup costs and marine losses from cigarette-filter and packaging plastics.
These estimates (Sy 2023) cover cigarette-filter and packaging plastics only. They are not the full cost of tobacco, and any other figure in the tool is outside them.
Product waste
Tobacco products are designed for single use, but their waste can last for years in the environment.
Disposable vapes
Vapes contain plastics, metals, and batteries. When discarded, they can leach heavy metals and chemicals. Some may need special electronic or hazardous-waste handling, depending on the product and national law.
Read moreWaste reaches public spaces
Littered on streets, beaches, rivers, and waterways.
Read moreThe public pays
Cleaning, waste management, and environmental damage create costs for governments and communities.
Read moreRisks to people and ecosystems
Wildlife and water
Animals can mistake filters and plastics for food. Chemicals can contaminate water and soil.
Children and pets
Discarded products can expose children and pets to nicotine and toxic substances.
Fire and chemicals
Batteries can start fires in waste systems, and harmful chemicals can leach into the environment.
Policy action
Governments can reduce tobacco’s environmental harm through a combination of policies.
Prevent waste at source
Cut waste before it exists. Restrict filters, limit single-use vapes, and set design and packaging standards.
Working on tobacco-related environmental policy?Get in touch with GGTC for technical support, resources, or expert advice.
Request policy support Evidence base
Explore key resources on tobacco and the environment. Each source shows who published it.
Official WHO source
Tobacco: Poisoning our planet
Official WHO FCTC source
FCTC/COP11(10): Implementation of Article 18 of the WHO FCTC
Official WHO FCTC source
Guidelines for implementation of Article 5.3 of the WHO FCTC
Official government source
