KUALA LUMPUR: The increasing amount of cigarette butts found discarded at several popular tourist beaches around the country has not only become an eyesore but also raised concern over its detrimental impact on the environment.
According to a special report published by Sinar Harian today, discarded cigarette butts are the largest amount of litter found on popular beaches across the country.
The report also cited data from the United Nations Development Programme which estimated that 4.5 million cigarette butts are littered around the world every year.
An infographic accompanying the report shows that 5,425 cigarette butts were collected by 42 college students within 45 minutes during a cleaning programme in Pantai Chenang in Langkawi in 2019; some 5,000 cigarette butts were collected by a group of environmentalists in Teluk Kalong beach in Kijal, Terengganu; and more than 10,000 cigarette butts were collected when 357 volunteers carried out a cleaning programme at the Teluk Kemang beach in Port Dickson, Negri Sembilan last year.
Kelab Geng Plastik Hijau Terengganu chairman Zulkefli Sarji claimed discarded cigarette butts are found at almost all popular beaches around the country.
"Compounding the situation is the fact that littered cigarette butts are among the hardest to collect, not only due to their size but also because their chemical content can easily be absorbed into soil and water," he was quoted in the report.
Zulkefli added that the club could easily find and collect up to 2,000 cigarette buds when they visited any beaches.
The Consumers' Association of Penang said discarded cigarette butts discarded can cause serious damage to the environment.
Its senior education officer and anti-smoking activist N.V. Subbarow said toxic chemicals, including nicotine, can pollute the environment and expose humans to various health risks.
"Cigarette filters are made from acetate cellulose fibers, which may take up to 10 years to fully degrade," he said.
Subbarow added that the habit of smokers discarding cigarette butts everywhere is very concerning.
"Cigarette butts are not only discarded at beaches but also found everywhere, such as on roads, in parks, and other places.
"Checks conducted by CAP also revealed that traffic light junctions are among the many locations where cigarette butts can be found," he said in the report.