Tobacco and cigarette butt consumption in humans and animals

Tob Control. 2011 May;20 Suppl 1(Suppl_1):i17-20. doi: 10.1136/tc.2011.043489.

Abstract

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 cigarette butts in aquatic environments may cause exposure to additional toxic chemicals including heavy metals, ethyl phenol and pesticide residues. This report reviews published and grey literature regarding cigarette butt waste consumption by children, pets and wildlife. Although reports of human and animal exposures number in the tens of thousands, severe toxic outcomes due to butt consumption are rare. Nonetheless, the ubiquity of cigarette butt waste and its potential for adverse effects on human and animal health warrants additional research and policy interventions to reduce the stream of these pollutants in the environment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Wild
  • Environmental Exposure / adverse effects*
  • Hazardous Substances / adverse effects*
  • Hazardous Waste / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Metals, Heavy / adverse effects
  • Nicotiana
  • Nicotine / adverse effects
  • Pesticide Residues / adverse effects
  • Pets
  • Phenols / adverse effects
  • Risk
  • Smoking*
  • Water Pollution

Substances

  • Hazardous Substances
  • Hazardous Waste
  • Metals, Heavy
  • Pesticide Residues
  • Phenols
  • Nicotine