ASH Ireland Calls for Further Levy on Cigarettes - on The Polluter Pays Principle

Date: 16 July 2003

ASH Ireland welcomes the move announced by the Government recently to put a levy on chewing gum – to offset the cost of the litter caused by the associated waste. When outdoors virtually all cigarette smokers toss the butts, mostly still lit onto pavements and other areas. Like most other negative practices associated with tobacco use, the reckless disposal of cigarette butts and associated packaging as litter is rarely questioned. Cigarettes are by far the most littered item in the world – in Ireland billions of cigarettes and associated packaging are littered every year.

It is a commonly held myth that cigarette filters are biodegradable - the acetate (plastic) filter can take many years to decompose. In addition to the negative impact that cigarette butts have on the visible environment, wind and rain carry cigarette butts into our water supply where toxic chemicals in the cigarette filter, designed to trap particles, leak out into aquatic eco-systems threatening the quality of water and many aquatic life forms. Cigarette butts may seem small, but with several billion littered every year, this has a significant impact on the environment.

Dr. Fenton Howell, spokesperson for ASH Ireland said today, “The smoker has no right to litter our streets, pavements, parks and other public places. ASH strongly advises the Government to follow through with the chewing gum levy and also place a levy of 15c on a pack of 10 cigarettes and a levy of 30c on a pack of 20. The levy can be directed to clearing the waste product and also towards health programmes, which will assist smokers to quit.”

ASH Ireland again wishes to stress the absolute need to press ahead with the workplace ban on smoking in its entirety. This is vitally important health legislation, which must not be open to compromise. All our workers, including bar workers have a right to clear air – there is surely no scope for compromise on this core issue.