Petition · past parliament · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Ban cigarettes - The Largest Ocean Polluter

Closed 44 signatures

What the petition asks

In April 2021 England will officially ban the single use plastics such as straws and cotton buds. Wales will also do the same in Spring 2021. However the largest source of single use plastic pollution is cigarettes. Therefore it would be appropriate to also ban cigarettes.
The Government have agreed to ban single use plastic in 2021, however the list of items banned crucially misses out cigarettes. Cigarettes are the top single use plastic polluter in the world! On top of the plastic and microplastics issue, cigarettes also add harmful chemicals such as nicotine, lead and arsenic into the environment. These chemicals enter our food chain leading to bioaccumulation. They have also been shown to inhibit plant growth on land and reduce crop yeilds.

Timeline

4 Nov 2020 Petition opened for signatures
4 May 2021 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 44
Status Closed
Department Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Opened 4 Nov 2020
Closed 4 May 2021

Follow this petition

Sign in to get an email when the government responds, a debate is scheduled or held, or the petition closes.

Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.