The  Smoke Free Partnership (SFP) is participating in the Second Session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution (INC-2) to advocate for a ban on cigarette filters.

Summary: In April 2023, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) released its options paper that summarizes a set of objectives, substantive provisions, including core obligations, control measures, voluntary approaches, implementation measures, and means of implementation for the upcoming plastics treaty talks.

SFP has analyzed it and is suggesting key elements to be incorporated.

Recommendations for the UNEP options paper include:

1. Ensuring that cigarette filters fall under the scope of single-use plastics to be banned
2. Aligning UN Treaty on Plastic Pollution with the WHO FCTC
3. Making the tobacco industry pay (Polluter Pays Principle)
4. Avoiding false solutions such as the promotion of “biodegradable” or “recyclable” filters’ alternatives