Plastic Cigarette Filters

That the Parliament considers that cigarette litter is one of the most visible and prevalent forms of litter in Scotland; understands that nearly 3.65 billion cigarette filters are discarded in Scotland each year, including many in the West of Scotland; further understands that most cigarette filters are made of plastic and take years to degrade, releasing harmful chemicals and microplastics into the environment; believes that cigarette filters do not benefit health, but that two-thirds of smokers think that they do, and that, instead, filters make smoking easier and more palatable; notes the view that, because cigarette filters do not benefit health, they should be categorised alongside other single-use plastics, such as plastic cotton bud stems, cups and cutlery, and as optional consumer items that are subject to regulatory action, and further notes the joint statement on plastic cigarette filters published by ASH Scotland, the Marine Conservation Society and Keep Scotland Beautiful, and their campaign to eliminate what it sees as this major source of litter and plastic pollution.