Former Dutch State Secretary for the environment Vivianne Heijnen wanted to put a ban on all single-use cigarette filters on the agenda of the revision of the European Union’s Single-Use Plastics Directive (in 2025), she wrote to parliament in 2023. Research by CE Delft showed that a ban is the only effective option to achieve a 70% reduction target, which was voted for by parliament. Interestingly, the government wants to ban all single-use filters, including alternatives such as bioplastic. No Plastic Filter sent a letter to the current State Secretary for the environment, asking to support the campaign and continu the work in Europe.
In response to motions by the collaborating NGOs ‘Plastic Cigarette Butt Collective’ in 2022, the Dutch government also commissioned research into measures to reduce the amount of cigarette filters in litter. CE Delft conducted the study and concluded “that cigarette filters make up a significant proportion of litter, leading to negative environmental impacts.” The study examined five possible measures, but “these do not lead to the proposed reduction target of 70% by 2026.” Existing policies, they say, lead to a maximum reduction of about 15% by 2026, and “new measures cannot be introduced before 2026, or do not lead to a sufficient reduction rate.” Thereupon, the research firm advised the government, if it wants to make work on the 70% reduction target, to investigate the possibility of banning filter cigarettes in a European context. They also argued that in order to move toward this target up to 2026, it would be necessary to maximize the use of additional measures. A combination of measures is likely to lead to the highest effect, according to CE Delft.
All filter ban in Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD)
This is good news for two reasons: bioplastic does not break down much, if at all, in nature, and the filters contain hundreds of toxic substances that leak into the environment. The revision of the SUP Directive, the European Single-Use Plastics Directive that includes, for example, the ban on plastic straws and cutlery but also the upcoming legislation around disposable cups and meal packaging, will take place in 2025 and 2026.
Follow-up steps in the Netherlands and Europe
The ministry continues to explore the policy options under consideration in the following ways:
- Explore the possibilities and start preparations to put a ban on single-use cigarette filters on the agenda in cooperation with other European member states in the revision of the SUP or any other relevant European regulations.
- Explore the (im)possibilities for a national ban on cigarette filters.
- Discuss a smoking ban on beaches and other locations with the VNG and IPO, as well as the support base among municipalities and provinces for this and the conditions for this support.
Responses from other countries and the tobacco industry
In 2023 Euronews reported on the news from the Netherlands, and also mentioned Belgium and Denmark where scientists recently called for a ban on cigarette filters as well. In Denmark, Manager of External Affairs at Philip Morris, Christopher Arzrouni, responded on TV2: “It is a purely symbolic and silly proposal made to make smokers’ lives more miserable.” To call effectively addressing the largest form of plastic pollution worldwide, and the additional chemicals in the environment, “symbolic” and “silly” once again shows Philip Morris’ refusal to participate in a real solution to their product’s problems.
How can you join?
- Support the call for an international ban on plastic cigarette filters as an individual and/or organization by signing the form, and let it be heard that you too would like to get rid of plastic cigarette filter pollution!
- Want to send a letter to your government asking them to support the call for a ban on plastic cigarette filters as well? Feel free to translate the Dutch letter or send us an e-mail with a request.
- Participate in global day of action ‘No Butts Day‘ on July 5th, 2025: register your own local event or join an existing one using the world map