Littered cigarettes are widespread in the environment. Cigarette consumption is on the rise globally. As the popularity of bans on indoor smoking is increasing, peoples often smoke outdoors. The global environmental load of cigarette waste possibly increases in future. Ecosystems of shorelines and waterways are vulnerable because some of land-based litter ends in multiple layers of snow and is eventually deposited in aquatic environments. Cigarettes contain thousands of chemicals that are toxins to humans, and can leach out from littered cigarettes.

The study assesses the potential ecological risks of cigarette butts waste to the environment. The aim is to lower cigarette butts waste at the Novia University of Applied Sciences – Campus Raseborg and create public awareness about the toxicity of cigarette butts.

The research study is quantitative. Secondary data collected through documents provides the theoretical background. The suitable method for primary data collection is a survey questionnaire to explore the subject deeply. In two weeks, 32 individuals responded to the survey. The response rate of the survey was 11.3%.

Participants responded to questions concerning knowledge, beliefs, and behavior as well as environmental awareness of cigarette butt litter. This research concludes that a pro-environmental behavioral awareness promotion is effective in controlling cigarette butt litter. Despite of active indoor smoke-free policy at Campus Raseborg, an outdoor smoke-free policy will have greater effect protecting the environment.