Tobacco Product Waste
Isn’t it time we told tobacco companies that Santa Cruz County isn’t their ashtray?
Cigarette butts. Yuck! They can seem to be everywhere. They’re so common that some people don’t even notice anymore. Cigarette butts are the No. 1 item found on California beaches and roadways. Members of the Tobacco Education Coalition think it’s time for Big Tobacco to clean up their mess. You can help.
Not Just Litter, Toxic Waste
The billions of cigarette butts littering our streets, parks and waterways aren’t just litter—they’re toxic waste. Cigarette filters are made of cellulose acetate, a type of plastic that breaks down into microplastic particles over time. Those filters eventually leach toxic chemicals into the environment including lead, arsenic and nicotine. There are major environmental and public health impacts from this waste, not to mention the cost to local governments and taxpayers. And now, e-cigarettes have created a new source of pollution, with their battery-operated devices and single-use plastic flavor pods.
A Threat to Children, Pets and Wildlife
Cigarette butts in our parks, playgrounds and other open spaces can poison children, pets and wildlife. They also harm Santa Cruz County beaches and ocean habitats, including the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. In addition, tobacco waste is an environmental justice issue. Low-income communities and communities of color bear the highest burden from this toxic waste. These are the same communities that have the highest density of tobacco retailers and tobacco advertising.
What Can You Do?
There are lots of things individuals can do to keep tobacco waste out of our environment. Most importantly, don't smoke or vape. If you do, properly dispose of your tobacco waste. Educate your family and friends about the environmental impact of tobacco products. Take part in cleanups and awareness events. You can also let your local policymakers know that you care about this issue. Tell them that you want to see policies passed that hold Big Tobacco responsible for the damage their products do to both human and environmental health!
Use Your Voice to Make Change
The Coalition is working to educate local leaders about policy solutions to end tobacco waste. We have worked with all five local jurisdictions to pass resolutions recognizing tobacco waste as a public health and environmental threat. Since 2024, the Coalition has worked with community advocates and policy makers to pass groundbreaking policies banning the sale of filtered cigarettes and cigars in three local jurisdictions – the County Unincorporated Area, the City of Capitola, and the City of Santa Cruz. Come to Coalition meetings to help strategize about next steps and actions to take. You could help with activities such as:
- Conducting public opinion surveys about tobacco litter
- Gathering tobacco litter data
- Attending educational meetings with policymakers
- Writing letters, articles and op-eds about tobacco waste for local publications
Tobacco Waste Resources
Flavored Tobacco
Why does a deadly, addictive product that is supposed to be for adults look and smell like candy?
Chocolate, caramel, cinnamon apple are just a few of the many sweet and fruity flavors available in tobacco products. These products use kid-friendly flavors, colorful packaging and low prices to entice young people. The sweet flavors mask the harshness of the nicotine and keep kids coming back until they become addicted.
Santa Cruz County Policy Makers Support Anti-Tobacco Laws that Protect Our Kids
The good news is state and local policymakers understand that restricting the sale of flavored tobacco products is a critical step to prevent another generation of young people from living with a lifetime of addiction. In 2018, the City of Santa Cruz became the first jurisdiction in the County to ban the sale of flavored tobacco products, including menthol. By 2022, four other local jurisdictions passed similar bans.
Following the lead of local jurisdictions, the entire state of California banned the sale of flavored products. Despite the ban, education programs and enforcement of the policy is still needed. New products, such as flavored nicotine pouches and “non menthol” cigarettes, have flooded the market confusing the public and retailers alike.
Tobacco staff and coalition members continue to educate the public and tobacco retailers, conduct retail store observations, and work with local enforcement agencies to ensure that flavored tobacco products are not being sold in Santa Cruz County. If you see these products in a local store, please contact us at 831-454-4141.
Flavored Tobacco Resources