Want to Save The Planet? Quit Smoking

Despite significant leaps in tobacco harm reduction, there are still around 1.3 billion cigarette smokers in the world. Though the environmental consequences of this habit have been well-documented in research, some smokers may still be underestimating the impact of cigarettes on the planet. One Tobacco Prevention and Cessation study discovered that smokers appear to be less informed about climate change effects and the specific activities that contribute to it. In addition, they are less likely than non-smokers to be informed about their city’s air quality or avoid throwing cigarettes and other waste in public areas. Understanding one’s role in saving the planet is an ongoing learning process. However, current smokers need to understand how exactly cigarettes harm the earth – and why quitting could create a positive impact.

The link between cigarettes and the environment

Cigarettes harm the planet, from the farming of tobacco to the disposal of the used cigarette butt. Tobacco is planted in 124 countries, using an estimated 3.2 million hectares of agricultural land. Producing just one cigarette uses up 3.7 liters of water and 3.5 grams of oil, which also results in 4.5 trillion cigarette filters dumped yearly. Overall, this means the production of cigarettes is responsible for 0.2% of carbon emissions worldwide.

Additionally, an Addictive Behaviors study found that almost a quarter of people believe cigarette butts are biodegradable and less toxic. On the contrary, cigarette filters are made of cellulose acetate, a plastic that animals can ingest. As discussed in our “5 Steps You Can Take to Save the Planet” post, plastics increase land pollution with each passing day, and it doesn’t end there.

One report found that 60% of the polymers in different species of bivalves, fish, and crustaceans came from cellulose acetate. It can also take up to eighteen months to decompose. Even then, its degradability is not guaranteed, as plastic degradation is always linked to the specific environment where it’s thrown away. Tobacco litter adds up to an estimated 766,571 metric tons annually, worsened by improper disposal practices. One study from the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health assessed the habits of over 7,500 smokers over 24 hours. During this period, respondents reported having littered 25,380, or 46%, of the cigarettes they smoked. But while smokers can minimize environmental damage by throwing cigarette butts in the appropriate receptacles, a more long-term solution would be to drop cigarettes and combustible tobacco entirely.

Switching to eco-friendly products

We have become more environmentally conscious, which is reflected in the steadily declining smoking rates worldwide. Additionally, alternatives like nicotine pouches that are friendlier to the planet are cropping up in the market. VELO nicotine pouches don’t contain any tobacco leaf or plant material and are made up of a blend of food-grade ingredients, like plant fibers. Options like VELO Mint 4mg mimic the flavor experience of cigarettes while providing a smoke-free and odor-free experience. Smokers can also explore unorthodox flavors and higher strengths, like VELO Max Dragon Fruit 7mg. These nicotine pouches come in a handy tin can with a catch lid for convenient and environmentally friendly disposal anywhere they are used. You can place the used pouch in the catch lid and throw it away later.

Nicotine alternatives are acknowledged as non-toxic forms of nicotine delivery. As a former smoker progresses in their cessation journey, they may experience cravings that could cause them to relapse. Novel formats such as the Nicorette QuickMist mouth spray — when paired with its behavioral-support SmartTrack app — could prevent this by maintaining the stimulation of one’s nicotine receptors. This portable spray comes with 1 mg of nicotine per dose, helping to manage the sensations of craving, while the app keeps track of your progress and provides helpful quit tips according to your goals and quit plan. Unlike cigarettes, which require disposal and can cause smoke pollution, spray formulas dissolve entirely in the mouth, minimizing waste and disruption to nature and others. When using these alternatives, quitters can consider integrating environmentally-centered activities to replace the habit of smoking. Research has found that outdoor exercises like hiking and backpacking in nature can reduce cue-elicited tobacco cravings; they also expose the lungs to healthier and fresher air and help improve cardiovascular health.

To save the planet, the seemingly simple act of quitting cigarettes for good can go a long way.