As if you need another reason to not smoke, or to quit smoking, San Diego State University researchers have found that the chemicals in cigarette butts and filters can leech out into the water and kill fish. When you consider that cigarette butts are the most common littered item in the world, it means they could cause significant problems for fish when the butts end up in our waterways. The researchers have suggested that cigarette butts should be reclassified as toxic waste.
We already know that pets are affected by secondhand smoke, and we already know about the health problems associated with smoking. If you don’t smoke, keep it that way—your health and your family’s health (including your four-legged family members) will benefit. If you do smoke, consider quitting – but if that’s not an option for you, please be considerate and discard your butts appropriately instead of littering.