Cigarette Filter Litter - Policy Options, Including Extended Producer Responsibility

Phase 1: To explore the role of EPR as a policy to meet publicly funded cleaning costs & to reduce the incidence of cigarette littering and prevalence of littered cigarette filters in the UK compared to other regulatory policy options, including a ban on the sale of plastic cigarette filters and pre-rolled cigarettes with plastic filters, and to make a recommendation.

Phase 2: For the recommended policy, to develop an operational proposal supported by consideration of the economic effects of the policy. (phase 2).

Background

A recent study by Keep Britain Tidy found that smoking related litter is the most prevalent form of litter in England, making up 68% of all littered items, of which 66% is cigarette butts. Research conducted in Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland shows that cigarette filter litter is similarly prevalent. The vast majority of cigarette butts are 'single use plastic' & contain hundreds of toxic chemicals once smoked. Littered cigarette filters can persist in the environment for many years & release these chemicals to air, land & water, harming both plant growth & wildlife.

New research conducted by Eunomia for Defra & WRAP indicates that cleaning up littered cigarette butts currently costs litter authorities in the UK around £40 million per year, rising to £46 million when including those disposed of in public bins.

There's therefore a justification to consider evidence around the case, or otherwise, to bring forward regulatory measures to tackle cigarette litter. This policy development will benefit from significant analysis & research by external bodies in this area.

Non-regulatory approaches have been explored by independent organisations with cooperation from tobacco industry representatives however, the Govt position is that that a regulatory approach may be required to ensure that the industry takes sufficient financial responsibility for the litter created by its products, & to prevent them from undermining public health policy