Article**: Oceans and Wetlands.
Recently, UN Environment's civil society unit published a new article in the 45th issue of Perspectives, titled "Plastic Tobacco Filters – An Unnecessary Plastic That Affects the Environment and Human Health". The article was written by the non-governmental organization "No More Butts". No More Butts, an organization focused on tobacco filters, also talks about how the Plastics Treaty could be an opportunity to defeat this toxic plastic pollution. In order to contribute to global environmental governance, Oceanwetlands has compiled the main content of the article below for the reference of interested readers.
Tobacco filters are an unnecessary plastic product, but they can be avoided. Since almost all cigarettes contain filters made of plastic,Cigarette butts are the most littered item in the world。It is estimated that every year there are4.5 trillionA cigarette butt is discarded into the environment, which is up toThe cigarette butts end up in the sewer.
Cigarette butts not only pollute hundreds of billions of tons of water every year, but probablyIt takes up to 15 years to degrade, so the cumulative impact of plastic waste is also quite significant.
Cigarette butts enter the ecosystem and willToxic chemicals leach into soil, air, and water, leading to biodiversity loss。In addition, the transportation of cigarettes also produces pollution, and the eventual problem of plastic pollution also affects the environment.
In addition to the microplastics produced during the degradation process, tobacco filters absorb many chemicals during the smoking process that leach into the environment when littering. Many of these issues are currently considered a concern by the United Nations.
The World Health Organization has called for a ban on the use of tobacco filters in 2022, recently supported by a study by the Belgian High Council for Health, the Plastics Treaty negotiations provide an excellent opportunity for member states to take action against this form of toxic plastic pollution.
The Inter-Negotiation Committee (INC) was convened to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, as mandated by UNEP Resolution 5 14. It is often referred to simply as the "Plastic Treaty".
INC has previously held meetings in Uruguay, France, and Kenya and will be held in the following sessionsTwo more meetings will be held in 2024 with the task of completing negotiations by the end of 2024
At the third session of the Inter-Session, held in Nairobi in November 2023, after nine days of discussions, Member States and observers were able to provide oral and written feedback on these documents, as well as on other substantive topics. Palau was the first member state to intervene in tobacco filters, emphasizing them".Hope calls for cigarette filters to be included in this list, as they are the most littering items in the world and can harm land and marine ecosystems", very difficult to collect, and decomposes into toxic microplastics. Panama then echoed Palau's position in an oral statement. The World Health Organization also intervened to support their pre-meeting submission, calling for a ban on the use of tobacco filters as an alternative.
no more butts".As a country-led negotiation process, it is vital that Member States consider taking action to include tobacco filters in the list of any problematic and avoidable products, as well as plastics of concern
Because cigarettes not only contain avoidable and problematic plastics, but when consumed and littered, they also raise issues related to issues of concern, including chemicals and microplastics.
The INC-4 delegation of the Green Society is open for participation
The Green Society's Plastic Reduction and Picking Working Group continues to pay attention to the problem of plastic pollution, and as an observer of the meeting, it has made suggestions to the meeting many times.
A small number of delegates are now open for experts or youth representatives from Canada to join the delegation and attend the meeting in Ottawa. Experts, scholars and youth representatives are welcome to actively sign up for the event, have the courage to participate in international affairs, and actively speak out.
Application Deadline:February 16, 2024
Mr. Luo of the International Department v89@cbcgdforg，18910282583；
Ms. Wang: v10@cbcgdforg；17319454776
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