Abstract
Improperly discarded cigarette butts are a substantial environmental problem. This study explored factors influencing cigarette butt discarding behavior on a public beach on Jekyll Island, Georgia, USA. A mixed-mode design utilized quantitative and qualitative data to study improper cigarette butt disposal. We surveyed smokers regarding their place attachment, environmental attitudes, environmental awareness, and habit as predictors of improper cigarette butt disposal. Environmental attitudes, environmental awareness, and habits were significant predictors of improper cigarette butt disposal behavior. A qualitative inquiry further explored the phenomenon of cigarette butt disposal from the smokers’ perspectives. Interviews illustrated that “improper disposers” experienced themes involving uncertainty that cigarette butts are litter, a lack of knowledge, problems with cigarette butt receptacles currently in place, the requirement of a conscious choice about how and where to discard a butt, and statements that contradicted the behavior observed. Themes that emerged from interviews with “proper disposers” included cigarette butts are clearly litter, awareness of social constructs that disapprove of smokers and their behavior, awareness of the cumulative effects of cigarette butts on the beach, minimal obstacles to discarding properly, and feelings of personal responsibility. Implications of the study results are discussed.
Highlights
1.1 Introduction to the ProblemCigarette butts are some of the most commonly found trash on beaches worldwide (Addamo, Laroche, & Hanke, 2017; Ocean Conservancy, 2019)
Environmental attitude, environmental awareness, and habit were significantly correlated with cigarette butt disposal, r = -0.21, r = -0.22, r = 0.27 respectively (Table 1)
Quantitative results indicate that environmental attitudes, environmental awareness, and habits were significant factors in improper cigarette butt disposal behavior
Summary
Cigarette butts are some of the most commonly found trash on beaches worldwide (Addamo, Laroche, & Hanke, 2017; Ocean Conservancy, 2019). Cigarette butts cause problems when they are improperly discarded into the environment for several reasons. Most filters in cigarette butts (97%) (Solvay, 2016) are made of cellulose acetate (plasticized fibers) and do not break down in the environment (Novotny, Lum, Smith, Wang, & Barnes, 2009; Puls Wilson, & Hölter, 2011; Robertson, Thomas, Suthar, & Brown, 2012). Cigarette butts contain toxic chemicals that leech into the environment including arsenic, polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and heavy metals (Moriwaki, Kitajima, & Katahira, 2009). Cigarette butt leachates pose a hazard to human health (Novotny et al, 2011)
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