Discarded Cigarette Butts Research Articles

A strategy of making waste profitable: Nitrogen doped cigarette butt derived carbon for high performance supercapacitors

With the consumption of nonrenewable energy, environmental and energy issues require prompt solutions. With cellulose acetate being the main component, cigarette butts have become one of the most common items of household garbage due to nondegradability, which poses an important challenge in dealing with a series of problems caused by the discarded cigarette butts. Based on this problem, this work prepares nitrogen-doped cigarette butt-derived carbon (N-CBDC) through continuous carbonization, activation and a subsequent hydrothermal method and applies it to supercapacitor electrode materials. N-CBDC has high specific surface area (1633.37 m2 g−1), a hierarchical porous structure, oxygen-rich functional groups, and high contents of nitrogen doping. The results demonstrate that such nitrogen-doped cigarette butt-derived carbon applied has excellent specific capacitance (330.1 F g−1 at 0.5 A g−1), good rate performance (45.75% from 0.5 to 10 A g−1) and high cycling stability (93.48% after 10,000 cycles). This strategy, along with thoroughly disposing of cigarette butt wastes and avoiding cigarette butt pollution to the environment, is also expected to be used to develop various carbon-derived materials for supercapacitors to tackle the problem of nonrenewable energy consumption.

From Plant to Waste: The Long and Diverse Impact Chain Caused by Tobacco Smoking.

Smoking is a social phenomenon of global scope. The impacts start from the cultivation of the plant to the disposal of cigarette butts in the most diverse places. These aspects go beyond economic and public health issues, also affecting natural environments and their biota in a serious and indistinct way. Of the six trillion cigarettes consumed globally each year, four and a half trillion are disposed somewhere in the environment. Cigarette butts are predominantly plastic, non-biodegradable waste, prevalent in coastal environments in various parts of the world, and with high potential for generating impacts on a wide range of socioeconomic and environmental aspects. Among the 5000 compounds found in a cigarette, those with higher toxic potential are mainly concentrated in the filter and in tobacco remnants, which are items found in discarded cigarette butts. After surveying published studies on this topic, the present study addressed the interaction between the impacts related to tobacco smoking, highlighting the problem as an important and emerging issue that demands joint efforts, and actions especially focused on the reduction of environmental impacts, an aspect that has not yet been assessed.

Facile functionalization of cellulose from discarded cigarette butts for the removal of diclofenac from water

In this study, cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), and cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) were extracted from discarded cigarette butts (DCBs), and investigated for their efficiency for diclofenac (Dfc) removal from water. CNFs extraction process involved cleaving of acetyl group by alkali treatment and etched with phosphate ions (HPO) from phosphoric acid to obtain the variably charged HPO-CNFs. To obtain CNCs, sulfuric acid was used to cleave phenol moieties from CNFs under high temperature and agitation. SEM, FT-IR, SEM-EDS, Raman spectroscopy were used to analyze the physico-chemical properties of synthesized cellulose materials. The SEM images revealed the exfoliated fiber strands of CNFs after extraction procedure, and the difference in the crystal structure of CNCs30 and CNCs60. The EDS analyses revealed the presence of higher amount of carbon in DCBs compared to other forms of synthesized celluloses. The FT-IR analyses revealed functional group shifts and bond reductions after various treatment steps, while the HPO attachment on the CNFs surfaces was confirmed by the presence of PO bonds. Raman analyses revealed clear crystals in the CNCs60 compared to the other celluloses. The adsorption capacity of HPO-CNFs for diclofenac removal was found to be 107.90 mg g−1 and Langmuir model fitted well to the adsorption data.

Tobacco use and smoking behaviors of individuals with a serious mental illness.

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of tobacco use and overall smoking behaviors within a sample of individuals with a serious mental illness who were homeless or vulnerably housed and receiving community mental health services. In 2010, individuals (N = 639) were interviewed, and identified smokers completed the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) and additional questions related to their smoking behaviors. Tobacco use prevalence was 72%, and 62% of smokers had high or very high levels of nicotine dependence. Smoking behaviors included smoking contraband cigarettes (47%) and smoking cigarettes remade from discarded cigarette butts (25%). Smokers were found to be over 9 times as likely to have a co-occurring substance use disorder. Significant tobacco prevalence and dependency in this population highlights the need to provide integrated treatment opportunities. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).

Leaching tests to assess the release of 210Po from discarded cigarette butts

In this study, the concentration of 210Po was determined by alpha spectrometry after its spontaneous deposition on a silver disk from butts of the most popular cigarette brands in Italy. When assessing the effects of this radionuclide on human health, its leachability in the environment by aqueous solution must be taken into account. Hence, the presence and mobility of 210Po in cigarette butts were assessed. The results obtained using two different procedures (batch extraction and column percolation) were compared in terms of radionuclide release. Five solutions at different pH were used for leaching tests to simulate a closed system environment: Leachant A: 0.4 M MgCl2, pH = 6.5; leachant B: CH3COOH + CH3COONa pH 5; leachant C: CH3COOH, pH 2.5; leachant D: 0.02 M HNO3 and 30% H2O2 and (ratio 3:5), pH <1; leachant E: NaOH pH 8. Overall, leachants B and C showed a greater ability to dissolve the elements than the other leachants that were tested. On the other hand, low acid or alkaline environments did not promote the leachability of elements. The ratio between the total % extraction using the bath test and the total % extraction using the column percolation test was >1 (mean ± SD: 1.66 ± 0.40). Hence, it appears that the column percolation test, which provides a better approximation of the leaching process under natural conditions, may leach out a larger amount of the radionuclide than the batch extraction test.

Uptake of nicotine from discarded cigarette butts – A so far unconsidered path of contamination of plant-derived commodities

This study aimed to elucidate the origin of the widespread nicotine contamination of plant-derived commodities, by conducting field experiments with various herbs and spice plants. By scattering tobacco and cigarette butts on the field and subsequent nicotine analyses of the acceptor plants, we verified that the alkaloid is leached out into the soil and is taken up by the crop plants. This path of contamination pertains even when there is only one cigarette butt per square meter. Even such minor pollution results - at least in the case of basil and peppermint - in considerable high nicotine contaminations, which exceed the maximum residue level by more than 20-fold.The data reported here clearly outline the large practical relevance of this soil-borne contamination path and imply that unthoughtful disposal of cigarette butts in the field by farm workers may be the reason for the widespread occurrence of nicotine contamination in plant-derived commodities. Therefore, such misbehavior needs to be prevented using education and sensitization, and by including this issue into the guidelines of good agricultural practice.

The in vitro biological assessment of a novel hybrid tobacco product and comparison with a cigarette smoke

Discarded cigarette butts (CBs) are among the most common types of litter found around the world. As a possible solution to this problem, this study investigated the possibility of encapsulating CBs with different classes of bitumen and paraffin wax, and incorporating them into asphalt concrete (AC) for pavement construction. The idea behind encapsulation involves restricting the interaction of CBs with fluids and thus preventing chemical translocation. This paper presents and discusses the results of two investigations. The first involved assessing the effects of incorporating different amounts of CBs (10 kg/m3, 15 kg/m3 and 25 kg/m3) encapsulated with different classes of bitumen (C170, C320, C600) into an AC mix manufactured with Class 170 bitumen. The second involved assessing the effects of incorporating 10 kg/m3 of CBs encapsulated with paraffin wax into AC mixes that were manufactured with different classes of bitumen (C170, and C320). All samples, including the control AC samples (no CBs), were tested for mechanical and volumetric properties, including stability, flow, resilient modulus, bulk density, maximum density, air voids, and voids in mineral aggregates. For the first investigation, involving encapsulation of CBs with bitumen, using 10 kg/m3 and 15 kg/m3 of CBs in an asphalt mix gave results that satisfied the requirements for light, medium and heavy traffic conditions. For the second investigation, involving encapsulation of CBs with paraffin wax, the changes in mechanical and volumetric properties for 10 kg/m3 CBs only satisfied the light traffic conditions for road pavements. The reduction in bulk density of AC caused by incorporating encapsulated CBs, increases the porosity, particularly when encapsulating in higher grade bitumen, which, in turn, lowers its thermal conductivity. This helps reduce the Urban Heat Island effect in urban environments.

Physico-mechanical properties of asphalt concrete incorporated with encapsulated cigarette butts

Discarded cigarette butts (CBs) are among the most common types of litter found around the world. As a possible solution to this problem, this study investigated the possibility of encapsulating CBs with different classes of bitumen and paraffin wax, and incorporating them into asphalt concrete (AC) for pavement construction. The idea behind encapsulation involves restricting the interaction of CBs with fluids and thus preventing chemical translocation. This paper presents and discusses the results of two investigations. The first involved assessing the effects of incorporating different amounts of CBs (10kg/m3, 15kg/m3 and 25kg/m3) encapsulated with different classes of bitumen (C170, C320, C600) into an AC mix manufactured with Class 170 bitumen. The second involved assessing the effects of incorporating 10kg/m3 of CBs encapsulated with paraffin wax into AC mixes that were manufactured with different classes of bitumen (C170, and C320). All samples, including the control AC samples (no CBs), were tested for mechanical and volumetric properties, including stability, flow, resilient modulus, bulk density, maximum density, air voids, and voids in mineral aggregates. For the first investigation, involving encapsulation of CBs with bitumen, using 10kg/m3 and 15kg/m3 of CBs in an asphalt mix gave results that satisfied the requirements for light, medium and heavy traffic conditions. For the second investigation, involving encapsulation of CBs with paraffin wax, the changes in mechanical and volumetric properties for 10kg/m3 CBs only satisfied the light traffic conditions for road pavements. The reduction in bulk density of AC caused by incorporating encapsulated CBs, increases the porosity, particularly when encapsulating in higher grade bitumen, which, in turn, lowers its thermal conductivity. This helps reduce the Urban Heat Island effect in urban environments.

Anthropogenic Nest Materials May Increase Breeding Costs for Urban Birds

Even in socially monogamous species, sexual conflict is one reason that often promotes differences in the roles of sexes during reproduction, which may lead to one sex making a disproportionate contribution, and thus incurring disproportionate costs, at particular moments of the breeding process. In Mexico City, a number of songbird species line their nests with fibers from discarded cigarette butts, which reduce ectoparasite load but are genotoxic. As male Passer domesticus make substantial contributions to nest building whereas male Carpodacus mexicanus do not contribute to nest building, we hypothesized that the toxic effects of exposure to cigarette butts should be greater for females C. mexicanus than for conspecific males, but that there should be little or no difference in P. domesticus. As expected there was more exogenous genotoxic damage in the red-blood cells of incubating female C. mexicanus the more cigarette butts were found in their nest, and much more than in their conspecific males. Damage in males was not associated to cigarette butts; it was initially lower than in females, but it increased near fledging, together with their breeding effort. In both male and female P. domesticus, however, genotoxic damage was equally apparent and greater the more cigarette butts were in the nest. The novel use of a toxic, anthropogenic parasite repellent by urban birds may be thus asymmetrically increasing the breeding costs paid by the member of the pair most involved in nest building and incubation.

An audit of assessment and outcome of intervention at a quit smoking clinic in a homeless hostel.

We aim to report on smoking history, mental and physical health, and the results of interventions provided by a Quit Smoking Clinic (QSC) at a Sydney homeless men's shelter. We undertook an audit of questionnaires administered during the first QSC visit and a review of outcomes of QSC clients who attended the clinic more than once. A total of 144 men were assessed at the QSC, with mean age 45.2 years (22-71) and mean smoking duration of 29 years. About half were receiving treatment for psychotic illness, and there were high rates of other psychiatric disorders, physical illness and substance use disorder. Carbon monoxide (CO) readings were significantly higher for those smoking discarded cigarette butts. Among the subset of clients who attended the clinic more than once (n=56), only four quit for more than a month and one for a year. However, the reported number of cigarettes smoked per day was significantly lower (p=0.001), with a significant reduction in CO (p<0.008). This study confirms the difficulty that homeless men experience in quitting smoking, but demonstrates the potential to reduce the physical and financial harm of smoking through cessation support interventions in this setting.

Field evaluation of the response of Aedes albopictus (Stegomyia albopicta) to three oviposition attractants and different ovitrap placements using black and clear autocidal ovitraps in a rural area of Same, Timor-Leste.

Known oviposition attractants or stimulants were compared, singly and in combination, using inexpensive autocidal ovitraps designed to trap emerging adults, in a rural area of Timor-Leste during the dry season. In this area, the dengue vector Aedes albopictus (Stegomyia albopicta) Skuse (Diptera: Culicidae) was abundant, but Aedes aegypti (Stegomyia aegypti) L. was not detected. The attractants were: (a) a compound found in Aedes eggs (dodecanoic acid); (b) components of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium-based (NPK) fertilizer, and (c) infusions of discarded cigarette butts. A solution of ammonium phosphate and potassium nitrate was significantly more attractive to gravid Ae. albopictus than water only. Dodecanoic acid and cigarette butt infusions were not significantly more attractive than the control; however, they attracted various other Diptera and many non-culicid larvae developed in ovitraps in which these substances were used; thus, the presence of eggs or larvae of other species may have deterred Aedes oviposition. Significantly more Aedes eggs were found in ovitraps under vegetation than in ovitraps placed inside houses or against external walls. Clear-sided ovitraps in which black mesh was placed over a black ring floating on the water surface collected significantly fewer eggs than black ovitraps with identically placed mesh and rings.

No Smoking Here: Examining Reasons for Noncompliance With a Smoke-Free Policy in a Large University

A large Australian university introduced a campuswide smoke-free policy in 2012. Almost 1 year after implementation, reasons for noncompliance among people observed smoking on campus were examined. Six smoking locations on campus were identified after a campuswide audit of smoking indicators (i.e., discarded cigarette butts packets and people observed smoking). At these locations, those observed smokers were interviewed. Interview responses were examined to elicit underlying themes. Fifty people were seen smoking during the observation period. Those smokers interviewed comprised staff (27%) and students (73%) aged between 18 and 24 (45.9%). The majority of the students were international students (51.8%). All respondents acknowledged their awareness of the smoke-free policy. Five explanatory themes for noncompliance emerged: defiance against the policy's perceived threat to self-governance; inconvenience to travel off campus to smoke; smoking as a physiological necessity; unintentional noncompliance through unawareness or confusion of policy boundaries; and ease of avoidance of detection or exposing others to cigarette smoke. Creating a culture of compliance at the university remains a significant challenge, especially considering the size of the campus, the high proportion of international students, and the logistics associated with monitoring smoking behavior in outdoor areas and on-campus student housing.

Contraband tobacco on post-secondary campuses in Ontario, Canada: analysis of discarded cigarette butts

BackgroundNo studies to date have assessed young adults’ use of First Nations/Native tobacco, a common form of contraband tobacco in Canada. This study examined the proportion of First Nations/Native cigarette butts discarded on post-secondary campuses in the province of Ontario, and potential differences between colleges and universities and across geographical regions.MethodsIn 2009, discarded cigarette butts were collected from high-traffic smoking locations at 12 universities and 13 colleges purposively selected to represent a variety of institutions from all 7 health service regions across Ontario. Cigarette butts were identified as First Nations/Native tobacco if they were: known First Nations/Native brands; had names not matching domestic and international legally-manufactured cigarettes; had no visible branding or logos.ResultsOf 36,355 butts collected, 14% (95% CI = 9.75–19.04) were First Nations/Native. Use of this tobacco was apparent on all campuses, accounting for as little as 2% to as much as 39% of cigarette consumption at a particular school. Proportions of First Nations/Native butts were not significantly higher on colleges (M = 17%) than universities (M = 12%), but were significantly higher in the North region.ConclusionsThe presence of cheap First Nations/Native (contraband) tobacco on post-secondary campuses suggests the need for regulation and public education strategies aimed to reduce its use. Strategies should account for regional variations, and convey messages that resonate with young adults. Care must be taken to present fair messages about First Nations/Native tobacco, and avoid positioning regulated tobacco as a healthier option than contraband.

Discarded Cigarette Butts Attract Females and Kill the Progeny of Aedes albopictus

Discarded cigarette butts (DCB) waste occurs worldwide, pollutes landscapes, is unsightly, and results in added debris removal costs. There is, therefore, a great deal of current interest in making use of DCBs in beneficial ways. Despite evidence that DCBs are harmful to water fleas (Daphnia magna), which breed in aquatic environments as do mosquito larvae, their impact on dengue vectors is unknown. We examined whether Aedes albopictus alters its ovipositional responses, larval eclosion, and development in response to presence of DCBs in its habitats. We found oviposition activity in DCB-treated water similar to that of control water and that ovipositional activity in DCB solutions steadily increased over time as those solutions aged to 10 days. Larval eclosion was initially suppressed on day 1 in DCB solution, but increased thereafter to levels similar to control larval eclosion rates. The DCB-water solutions produced significantly higher mortality in both 1st and 2nd instars over control larvae for several days after initial exposure. Mortality rates decreased sharply 3 to 5 days postexposure as DCBs continued to decompose. We found increased survival rates during late development, but daily input of fresh DCBs prevented most young larvae from completing development. Taken together, these observations suggest that decomposing did not deter gravid Ae. albopictus females from ovipositing in treated containers and that DCB solutions had larvicidal effects on early instars. Our results are discussed in the context of DCB use to control container-breeding Ae. albopictus, a competent dengue vector in Asia and other parts of the world.

Tobacco and cigarette butt consumption in humans and animals

Discarded cigarette butts may present health risks to human infants and animals because of indiscriminate eating behaviours. Nicotine found in cigarette butts may cause vomiting and neurological toxicity; leachates of...

Estimating smokers' mouth-level exposure to select mainstream smoke constituents from discarded cigarette filter butts

Standardized machine smoking measurements are poor predictors of exposure. We have refined a method using the solanesol deposited in discarded cigarette butts as a marker for estimating deliveries of mainstream smoke constituents. Developing a fast and accurate method for measuring solanesol in cigarette filters to assess tobacco smoke intake could provide a way to assess how people smoke under natural conditions. We have developed and validated a new, lower-cost, high-throughput method to measure the solanesol content in discarded cigarette filter butts and correlated these measurements with mainstream smoke deliveries of nicotine and tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs). Cigarettes were machine smoked under a variety of conditions to cover a wide range of nicotine deliveries and solanesol levels in the spent cigarette filter. Following machine smoking, a 1-cm portion of filter material, measured from the mouth end, was removed from the cigarette butts for analysis. Although an isotopically labeled solanesol analog is currently not commercially available, we achieved excellent quantitative results using a structurally similar compound, geranylgeraniol, as an internal standard (IS). After spiking with IS and solvent extracted, solanesol extracts were then analyzed using liquid chromatography coupled with a single-quadrupole mass analyzer. Analysis was carried out using manual preparation as well as a high-throughput 48-well format using automated liquid handlers. Recoveries of solanesol from cigarette butts exceeded 95% with excellent precision and exhibited excellent linearity for both preparation methods. In addition, we show that the mouth-level exposure for both nicotine and TSNAs may be estimated by their relation to the solanesol retained in the cigarette filter. We believe that this method provides excellent versatility and throughput for the estimation of mouth-level exposure to a wide range of toxins in cigarette smoke under naturalistic conditions. In addition, this method allows a far more accurate measure of exposure both from a single cigarette as well as from daily smoking.

Cigarettes Butts and the Case for an Environmental Policy on Hazardous Cigarette Waste

Discarded cigarette butts are a form of non-biodegradable litter. Carried as runoff from streets to drains, to rivers, and ultimately to the ocean and its beaches, cigarette filters are the single most collected item in international beach cleanups each year. They are an environmental blight on streets, sidewalks, and other open areas. Rather than being a protective health device, cigarette filters are primarily a marketing tool to help sell ‘safe’ cigarettes. They are perceived by much of the public (especially current smokers) to reduce the health risks of smoking through technology. Filters have reduced the machine-measured yield of tar and nicotine from burning cigarettes, but there is controversy as to whether this has correspondingly reduced the disease burden of smoking to the population. Filters actually may serve to sustain smoking by making it seem less urgent for smokers to quit and easier for children to initiate smoking because of reduced irritation from early experimentation. Several options are available to reduce the environmental impact of cigarette butt waste, including developing biodegradable filters, increasing fines and penalties for littering butts, monetary deposits on filters, increasing availability of butt receptacles, and expanded public education. It may even be possible to ban the sale of filtered cigarettes altogether on the basis of their adverse environmental impact. This option may be attractive in coastal regions where beaches accumulate butt waste and where smoking indoors is increasingly prohibited. Additional research is needed on the various policy options, including behavioral research on the impact of banning the sale of filtered cigarettes altogether.

The flame effect on benzo[a]pyrene in cigarette smoke

The commercially sold cigarettes contain more than 7000 chemicals, and their combustion produces potential toxicants in mainstream smoke (MS), sidestream smoke (SS), secondhand smoke (SHS), thirdhand smoke (THS), and discarded cigarette butts (CBs). We conducted a systematic review of published literature to compare the toxicants produced in each of these phases of tobacco combustion (MS, SS, and CBs). The initial search included 12,301 articles, but after screening and final restrictions considering the aims of this review, 159 published studies were selected for inclusion. Additionally, SHS and THS are briefly discussed here. Overall, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and other aromatic hydrocarbons have been represented in more studies than other compounds. However, metals and nitrosamines were detected in higher concentrations than other components in SS. The concentrations of most PAHs and other aromatic hydrocarbons in MS and SS are higher compared to concentrations found in CBs. Also, the concentrations of all the studied carbonyl compounds, aldehydes and ketones in SS and MS were higher than in CBs. The mean levels of alcohols and phenols in SS were higher than those reported for both MS and CBs. Tobacco toxicants are inhaled by smokers and transmitted to the environment through SS, SHS, THS, and discarded CBs. However, further studies are necessary to assess adverse effects of toxicants found in CBs and THS not only on human health, but also on the environment and ecosystems. The results of this review provide updated information on the chemical contents of MS, SS, SHS, THS, and CBs. It adds to the growing understanding that smoking creates major health problems for smokers and passive smokers, but also that it generates environmental hazards with consequences to the ecosystems and human health through discarded CBs, SHS, and THS exposure.

Tobacco and the law: the state of the art.

Litigation has become a major weapon in the conflict between those who seek to control tobacco and the tobacco industry. Apart from the cases arising from the high proportion of fires caused by cigarettes (including, in the UK, the disastrous fire at the Bradford football stadium and the fire at Kings Cross railway station, both of which were caused by discarded cigarette butts), in the last few years there have been and are continuing major lawsuits against the tobacco manufacturers both in the USA and in the UK. In Australia, a Court has ruled that the tobacco industry's claims that passive smoke had not been proven to cause a variety of diseases were false and misleading. A Quebec judge ruled as unconstitutional a Canadian law which had banned tobacco advertising. A product liability suit was filed against cigarette manufacturers by airline flight attendants whose health, they alleged, was impaired by exposure to passive smoke. To date, attempts to win damages from the manufacturers for injuries caused by smoking have failed, but several group actions are pending in the courts in England and the USA. The cases to date demonstrate the range and importance of tobacco control issues now being considered by the Courts.

Evaluation of high-risk smoking practices used by the homeless

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of high-risk smoking practices in a homeless population. High-risk cigarette smoking practices include misuse of tobacco products or alternative methods of cigarette smoking that increase the likelihood of ingestion of toxic substances and infectious agents that can potentiate the hazards associated with cigarette smoking. An 84-item questionnaire was developed by the researcher to measure these practices. Fifty-six male and three female homeless people were interviewed in downtown Los Angeles. The most common high-risk smoking practices were cigarette sharing (86%); smoking cigarettes remade from discarded cigarette butts and filters (71%); smoking cigarettes remade by others (63%); smoking discarded cigarette butts (63%); blocking filter vents (24%); using things other than tobacco, such as discarded cigarette filters and drugs, in remaking cigarettes (22%); and smoking discarded cigarette filters (19%). These high-risk smoking practices pose a greater risk of exposure to toxins trapped in filters and tobacco remains and increase the threat of infectious disease transmission. The long-term effects of high-risk smoking practices among the homeless have potential economic implications for society.