Santa Cruz County recently made history by becoming the first county in the United States to ban the sale of filtered cigarettes and cigars. This decision was made in an effort to reduce the amount of cigarette butt waste that litters the county’s beaches and harms marine life. The ban was introduced by Supervisor Justin Cummings, who emphasized the environmental damage caused by cigarette butts, which are the most littered item on the planet and provide no health benefits to smokers.
The ban, which will apply to the county’s unincorporated areas where a majority of residents live, is set to go into effect on January 1, 2027. However, in order for the ban to be fully implemented, at least two of the county’s four cities must pass similar prohibitions to prevent people from bypassing the ban by purchasing filtered cigarettes and cigars outside the ban zones. Santa Cruz and Capitola are expected to pass their own bans by the first quarter of 2025.
The primary focus of the ban is to target the environmental harm caused by plastic-based cigarette filters, which are non-biodegradable and can release toxins like arsenic and lead into marine ecosystems. Cigarette butts accounted for approximately 23% of debris found on Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary beaches between 2017 and 2021, highlighting the urgent need for action to protect marine life and ecosystems.
Opponents of the ban, including local tobacco retailers, have raised concerns about the potential impact on small businesses and argued that tourists will continue to litter regardless of the ban. However, supporters of the ban have emphasized the importance of addressing the environmental and health risks associated with filtered cigarettes. Studies have shown that smoking filtered cigarettes does not reduce cancer risk and can actually increase the risk of lung cancer as smokers may compensate for the lower nicotine yield by puffing harder.
Despite the concerns raised by opponents, Supervisor Cummings has defended the ban as a necessary measure to address the negative impact that cigarette waste has on the community and the environment. By taking this proactive step, Santa Cruz County is setting an example for other counties and cities to follow in promoting environmental sustainability and public health.
In addition to the ban on filtered cigarettes and cigars, more than 100 California localities have implemented restrictions on the sale of flavored tobacco products. Governor Gavin Newsom also banned the sale of flavored tobacco products in 2020, a decision that was upheld by voters in 2022. The momentum towards promoting healthier lifestyles and protecting the environment is growing, with Santa Cruz County leading the way in implementing innovative solutions to address these pressing issues.