In truth, the filtration systems of American-marketed cigarettes are made from plastic fibers, which do not degrade quickly. Most cigarette butts are not like orange peels or other organic materials - they remain in the environment for a long time and have an effect on the health of surrounding wildlife. Butts are frequently found in the systems of sea animals and other small animals like rodents. The butts contain trace amounts of poisonous chemicals that can interfere with the health of these creatures, and because the filters are not highly degradable, they can cause long-term digestive problems. Unfortunately, the detrimental impact of butts is not restricted to animals.
Human beings have to deal with the problem every time they enter a building and walk on a sidewalk.
In some areas on our own campus, like outside residence halls, the butts are so numerous they have to be waded through. And yet somehow the act of littering cigarette butts has become acceptable to human beings. Even people who are sensitive to environmental concerns rarely notice the hundreds of people a day that fling their stubs onto the streets, sidewalks and near the buildings on campus. The littering of butts is so prevalent that we simply do not notice. That is why this proposal from Maine is so exciting - because it provided incentive for smokers to think about what they are doing.