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Anti-smoking campaign targets cigarette butts pollution

Posted at 8:34 AM, Aug 28, 2018
and last updated 2018-08-28 11:34:27-04

One of the largest anti-smoking groups is now going after cigarette makers for their trash.

The Truth Initiative released a new video in an effort to combat the littering of cigarette butts. It debuted nationally last week during the MTV Video Music Award.

The organization is tying this latest campaign into their public petition to get more businesses and public places to go smoke-free.

Cigarette butts are the most littered item on the planet, and it’s the most picked up item from beaches all over the world.

They contain hundreds of chemicals that show up in wildlife and waterways. The butts are made with a type of plastic that can take a decade or more to decompose.

Cigarette makers have tried cleaning up their act over the years, but so far, nothing has really made a dent.

There is a startup company that claims to have a biodegradable cigarette filter, which breaks down in a matter of days. The company says they are in talks with cigarette makers and are currently looking for a partner to start manufacturing the green filters.