Methods: Review environmental policies applicable to cigarette butt litter in California. Evaluate the potential for banning sales of filtered cigarettes on environmental grounds. Estimate changes in cigarette consumption as a result of this ban.

Results: Cigarette filters are made from cellulose acetate, a non-biodegradable material. The tobacco industry is aware of the environmental impact of discarded filters, yet fails to bring a biodegradable product to market. Instead, the industry relies on personal responsibility solutions and corporate social responsibility guises. Cigarette filter litter is a solid waste problem recognized, but not specifically regulated, by several state agencies in California. Legislative solutions to control filter litter include general anti-litter laws and penalties, litter taxes, butt deposit bills, and outdoor smoking bans. Banning the sales of filters may have a more direct effect on butt litter. An econometric model will estimate the ban's effect on consumption based on historical precedents. An epidemiologic model will estimate disease impact changes, taking into account changes in the cigarette product, in per capita consumption, and in behavior resulting from state regulation of filtered cigarettes.

Conclusions: Cigarette filter litter has adverse environmental consequences. Our policy analysis will guide an advocacy approach, supported by quantitative estimates of the behavioral and health changes anticipated from banning sales of filtered cigarettes at the state level. This research may have national and international impact.