That’s what Trimbos says. “Research shows that at a concentration of one cigarette butt per liter of water, half of the fish is at risk of death. “The institute has listed the harmful effects of stray butts on the occasion of World No Smoking Day.
Microplastics, nicotine en teer
Cigar filters are made of cellulose acetate. This is poorly degradable and eventually falls apart into microplastics. The filters also contain nicotine and tar. The butts are particularly toxic to organisms that live in water, the institute warns. They cause altered behaviour, changes in the DNA material, suppression of development and death.
The filters have no added value for the health of smokers, say the scientists. “Unfortunately, the smoker who believes that by smoking filter cigarettes he is doing ‘something’ to reduce the risk of cancer is seriously misled by the tobacco industry,” according to the Trimbos Institute.
‘Abolish filters’
Natural damage is also caused at the beginning of the chain, says doctor-epidemiologist Esther Croes of the institute. “Cultivation and production lead to deforestation and a decrease in biodiversity.” Butts and the leftovers of harmful substances in them also have adverse effects on the growth of plants.
As far as Croes is concerned, the filters should be abolished altogether. She thinks it’s even better if people stop the harmful habit altogether. According to her, a smoker who does this kills three birds with one stone: “It is good for your health, for the people in your environment and for nature.”