This is a project funded by the California Tobacco Related Disease Research Project of the University of California as an IDEA grant.  Its goal is to examine all the policy options available to eradicate cigarette butt waste from the environment and to advocate for adoption of such policies at the national, state, and local levels.  Affiliates of the project also conduct scientific research on the toxicity of butts, the economics of butt cleanup, and the efforts of the tobacco industry to avoid responsibility for cigarette butt pollution.  The Cigarette Butt Advisory Group (CBAG) advises the project, now based at San Diego State University's Graduate School of Public Health. CBAG consists of experts from public health, environmental sciences, tobacco control and environmental advocacy groups, communities, and legislative and policy think tanks. The Cigarette Butt Pollution Project seeks to unify public health efforts against smoking with environmental efforts against waste. Together, these efforts will add to health and healthy environments. 

We need your help!  Cigarette butts are the single most recovered items from beach and urban environmental cleanups, and the filters themselves do not biodegrade.  We have found they are toxic to fresh and saltwater fish and other organisms, and we have heard reports of butt consumption by various animals.  We are currently seeking information regarding possible cigarette butt consumption by marine life, including birds, mammals, turtles, fish, etc.   If you have any information regarding this issue please contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Also, please let us know if you have any contacts that may have access to this type of information.  Thank you!

Find out more about the Cigarette Butt Pollution Project by visiting our general information, FAQ, or news pages.