Stop Tobacco Pollution Alliance
Tobacco's Toxic Plastics In Our Ocean
Every year, our environment is inundated with over 4 trillion plastic cigarette filters, many of which end up in our precious oceans. These filters, also known as butts, contain harmful microplastics that take over a decade to decompose. During this period, they release toxic chemicals and metals like arsenic, lead, and ethyl phenol, posing a grave threat to both terrestrial and aquatic life.
Cigarette Filters Harm Both Health and Environment and Must be Banned
Cigarette filters are a stark example of the tobacco industry’s flawed product design. Despite being perceived as a safety feature that enhances the appeal of cigarettes, these filters have been linked to a more aggressive form of cancer. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) and numerous non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have called for a ban on cigarette filters and for holding the tobacco industry responsible for its environmental damage.
STPA: Plastics Policies Must Align with Tobacco Control Policies
While many countries have introduced policies to regulate plastics, very few have specifically addressed the issue of cigarette butts. At the same time, the world’s governments are uniting to save our oceans from the harmful impact of plastics through the UN Plastics Treaty Negotiations. In recognition of an urgent need, the Global Center for Good Governance in Tobacco Control (GGTC) and Action on Smoking & Health (ASH) brought together advocates from around the world to establish the Stop Tobacco Pollution Alliance (STPA).
This alliance aims to promote the alignment between the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) and the plastics treaty, ban filters, and to make the tobacco industry pay.
Significant Milestones
The successful conclusion of the Fourth Session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4) of the UN Plastics Treaty, which took place in Ottawa, Canada, on April 29, 2024, marks a significant step forward in developing an international legally binding instrument to address plastic pollution, particularly in marine environments.
Following STPA’s continued advocacy efforts on banning cigarette filters, including a powerful statement delivered by Laura Salgado, Head of Campaign & Partnerships at GGTC, during a plenary, the WHO FCTC was recognized in the draft Preamble. Cigarette filters and other tobacco-related products were included in the list of avoidable and problematic plastics. Furthermore, in a joint statement with the Secretariat of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), the World Health Organization called for a ban on cigarette filters and other single-use tobacco plastic products.
Latest Resources for INC4
- Policy Brief Why the Zero Draft of the UN Plastics Treaty Should Deal with Tobacco’s Toxic Plastics (updated version). Access here.Supplementary provisional agenda (COP10 to the WHO FCTC)
- Talking Points
Key positions of STPA. Access here. - Side-by-side Revised draft text of the international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment. Access here.
- Letters Letter to the Ministry Of Health and Ministry Of Environment.
- List of Entities
List of Observers Found to Have Links with Tobacco Companies at INC-4. Access here. - Blog Article
Tobacco Industry Must Be Removed from Plastics Treaty Negotiations. Access here. - Blog Article
Advancing Environmental Protection at COP10: Implications for Tobacco’s Toxic Plastics and Extended Producer Responsibility. Access here.
Featured Resources
Highlighted Resources
Additional Readings
- Supplementary provisional agenda (COP10 to the WHO FCTC)
- Global Youth Voices Statement 2023
- Letter to Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change and signed reply
- Why cigarette filters should be eliminated from the commercial cigarette market
Key Developments
During the the second session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC 2) for the UN Plastics Treaty negotiations, the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) found explicit mention during the official discussions. This marks the first time the WHO FCTC has been officially referenced during these discussions, emphasizing the imperative to explore synergies among existing multilateral environmental agreements and public health treaties.
The recently concluded Tenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP10) to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) has adopted a landmark decision aimed at fortifying Article 18, a critical provision dedicated to environmental protection. This decision aligns with ongoing efforts to negotiate the United Nations (UN) Plastics Treaty, highlighting the interconnectedness of environmental and public health concerns.
Sessions of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee of UN Global Plastics Treaty
Fourth Session (INC-4)
23-29 Apr, 2024
Daily key takeaways: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6
Advancing against plastic pollution: WHO FCTC recognition and support for cigarette filter ban
The WHO FCTC was recognized in the draft Preamble during a plenary at the fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee of the UN Plastics Pollution Treaty, following months of advocacy and technical assistance by GGTC, a convenor of the Stop Tobacco Pollution Alliance (STPA), including a powerful statement delivered by Laura Salgado, GGTC Head of Campaign and Partnerships, on behalf of the STPA members. Cigarette filters and other tobacco-related products were included in the list of avoidable and problematic plastics. Furthermore, in a joint statement with the Secretariat of the FCTC, WHO called for a ban on cigarette filters and other single-use tobacco plastic products.
Third Session (INC-3)
13-19 Nov, 2023
Daily key takeaways: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6 & 7
Aligning with the alliance’s advocacy on the inclusion of tobacco’s toxic plastics in the upcoming plastics treaty, and urging a ban on cigarette filters, one significant highlight of INC-3, concluded on November 19, 2023, was the mention of cigarette filters in the report (refer to page 3) submitted by Contact Group 1.
Second Session (INC-2)
29 May-02 Jun, 2023
Daily key takeaways: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5
Ahead of INC-2, the STPA convened a round table discussion, The Road to a Ban on Cigarette Filters, that brought together experts and stakeholders from diverse backgrounds to assess the potential benefits and challenges of a cigarette filter ban. This RTD served as a platform for collaboration and advocacy efforts to generate recommendations for policymakers and advocates on promoting a ban on cigarette filters.
Additionally, the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) and STPA organized a webinar (Part A and B) with the renowned public health community to build the capacity to take action supporting advocacy at the country level, as well as during INC sessions and the Tenth session of the Conference of Parties to the WHO FCTC (COP10). The webinar aimed to garner support from key community stakeholders concerning the important Plastics Treaty.
First Session (INC-1)
28 Nov-02 Dec, 2022
Interventions delivered by members of the STPA highlight the importance of banning cigarette filters and excluding the tobacco industry and other private actors who have an inherent conflict of interest from participating in the discussions. These include: Intervention statement of ASH, A co-convenor of the STPA, at INC-1 of the UN Plastics Pollution Treaty, Second intervention statement by ASH at INC-1 of the UN Plastics Pollution Treaty, Joint statement from ASH, COARE and CIEL, Statement by Corporate Accountability, Statement by Vital Strategies
The alliance also contributed to POP Lite Bulletin of the Break Free From Plastics Movement (1, 2 , 3), which provided daily key takeaways during the first and second session of the negotiations.
STPA Webinars
- Round table discussion: The road to a ban on cigarette filters
- Why the public health community must engage in the UN plastics pollution treaty process (Part A)
- Why the public health community must engage in the UN plastics pollution treaty process (Part B)
Blog Articles
- COP10: Action needed to prevent tobacco industry interference in environmental solutions. Read here
- The world’s most littered, disposable product is not banned. Read here
- WHO Supports an immediate ban on cigarette filters. Read here
- Plastic cigarette filters: Non-biodegradable trash we should live without. Read here
- Tobacco companies need to pay: How the global plastics pollution treaty can hold the tobacco industry accountable. Read here
- Tobacco industry’s trending ‘Harm Reduction’ concept. Read here
- The huge costs of big tobacco’s environmental harms. Read here
- The year countries made Big Tobacco Pay. Read here
- Align plastics treaty with WHO FCTC. Read here
Global Media Competition 2024- Winners and Finalists of Stop Tobacco Pollution
Winner of the Stop Tobacco Pollution Special Prize
This reel by Jhon Bert Veraya, a teacher from the Philippines, reveals the tobacco industry’s damaging impact on the environment. Despite claims of recycling and sustainability, toxic cigarette butts remain a major source of ocean pollution. It calls for urgent action to protect our planet and future generations.
Finalists for the Stop Tobacco Pollution Special Prize
View all the other winning reels and finalists at GGTC’s Multimedia Hub
Videos
Member Organizations
Earth Day Network | Malaysian Women’s Action for Tobacco Control and Health (My WATCH) |
Plastic Pollution Coalition | NCD Child |
Fundación OneSea | Menzies School of Health Research |
ACITASVE (Asociación Civil Interdisciplinaria Tabaco o Salud Venezuela) | PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) |
HealthJustice Philippines | Aliance Contre Le Tabac |
ACT Promoção de Saúde | Nofumadores.org |
ACT-Alliance contre le Tabac. | Corporate Accountability |
Action Council against Tobacco in India (ACT-India) | NTAKK |
Action on Smoking and Health (ASH-US) | Pratyasha Anti-drug’s club |
Japan Society for Tobacco Control | CIET (Tob Epidemic Research Center of Uruguay) |
African Tobacco Control Alliance (ATCA) | International Pharmaceutical Students’ Federation |
Norwegian Cancer Society | RIPO – Red Internacional Promotores de ODS |
Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada | Israel Medical Association for Smoking Cessation and Prevention |
Alianza Antitabaco Ecuador | Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) |
Alianza ENT | The Union (International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease) |
Lentera Anak | RENATA (Red Nacional Antitabaco) |
ASH Scotland | Den of Hope Youth Group |
Asian Consultancy on Tobacco Control (ACTC) | Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (SEATCA) |
Israeli Association of Public Health Physicians | Educar Consumidores |
BlueLink Civic Action Network | VCU Health |
Bren School, UC Santa Barbara | Federal Ministry of Health |
CAT – Centro de Apoio ao Tabagista (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) | FIC Argentina |
Center of Studies on Tobacco or Health of the National School of Public Health Sergio Arouca at Oswaldo Cruz Foundation | TobaccoTactics team at the University of Bath |
Orendain Associates | Fiji Cancer Society |
Clalit health services | Danish Cancer Society |
CNPT (Comité Nacional para la Prevención del Tabaquismo) | Swiss Association for Tobacco Control |
COLAT (Comisión Nacional Permanente de Lucha Antitabáquica) | Fundación Bolivia Saludable – Alianza por la Salud |
Fundacion Annas | Unfairtobacco |
Consumer Information Network | stop2drop |
Consumers Association of Penang | PROESA-U.Icesi |
Salud Justa Mexico | Smokefree partnership |
Friends of the Earth Canada | PROI |
GoClean Nederland B.V. | Recreation Therapy New Zealand |
Green Crescent Turkey | Refleacciona con Responsabilidad A.C. |
Belgian Foundation Against Cancer | Vision for Alternative Development |
Health Funds for a Smokefree Netherlands | Vital Strategies |
Belgian Alliance for a Smoke Free Society | FIC Bolivia – Alianza por la Salud |
Aerztlicher Arbeitskreis Rauchen und Gesundheit e.V. | Global Center for Good Governance in Tobacco Control (GGTC) |
Healthy Latin America Coalition (CLAS) | Smoke Free IsraelSmoke Free Loife Coalition |
Institute of Leadership and Development (INSLA) | Tobacco Free Association of Zambia |
Institute of Public Health of the Republic of North Macedonia | Société Francophone de Tabacologie |
Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS), Inc. | Society For Public Health Professionals of Nigeria |
Comité national contre le tabagisme (CNCT) | Tobacco Control Alliance in Georgia |
International Youth Health Organization | TobaccoFree Research Institute Ireland |
Pan African Vision for the Environment (PAVE) | Súmate |
ASH Finland | Tobacco Free Portfolios |
Alcohol and Drug Information Centre (ADIC) | European Network for Smoking and Tobacco Prevention (ENSP) |
KADC | Healis Sekhsaria Institute for Public Health |
Kyiv City Public Health Center | San Diego State University Center for Tobacco and The Environment |
Mps-Gabon |
STPA is convened by:
Organizations who joined the Alliance
