The Nasty Truth About Cigarette Filters by Marlin Ellis

Smokers and non-smokers alike come in contact with them on a daily basis, whether we're the ones throwing them away or stepping on them on the sidewalk. They're used cigarette filters and they're one of the single largest sources of pollution on the entire planet.

Yes, you heard right. Cigarette butts. You may not be aware of it, but we throw them away more than we throw away any other single item. Some statistics put the number at almost 2 billion cigarette butts tossed each and every day, either because there isn't an ashtray to put them in or because we're just too lazy to do what we know is right.

So, what's the big deal about cigarette butts, anyway? First of all, they contain hazardous chemicals that can easily poison children, wildlife, and marine life. Toddlers that pick up cigarette butts and eat them can die if they are not taken to the hospital as soon as possible. This is because the purpose of the cigarette butt is to capture the nicotine and tar from the cigarette to help protect the smoker from the effects; the smoke that it filters contains thousands of chemicals and so when the butt is thrown away, it is basically soaked in poisons.

When cigarette butts are thrown into water, the chemicals are leeched out within a few hours, as the butt expands to soak up the water. This is bad not only for us, but also for the fish and other marine life in that area. Cigarette butts have been found in the stomachs of all kinds of marine animals from ducks and other birds to fish and whales.

The worst thing about cigarette butt litter is that it's almost completely preventable. You don't have to throw cigarette butts on the ground or in the water to get rid of them. It's all a matter of being responsible and doing the right thing, even if the right thing is a little inconvenient at the time. Isn't that what being a responsible adult is all about, anyway? Not dealing with cigarette butt litter responsibly is a huge cause of poisoned land and water, so why not do your part? Carry a small ashtray or container with you that you can put your butts in in case you can't find a trash can. It's one of the best things you can do for the environment. Honestly... what have you got to lose?

Marlin Ellis is a writer and you can visit his electronic cigarette site and learn about how to pass drug test

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