this campaign changes images on cigarette packs to raise awareness on butts pollution

by now, the harms caused by cigarette smoking are crystal clear. from shocking images on cigarette packs, the campaigns against the harmful substances found on this product have been, let’s say, successful. what hasn’t been communicated in such a direct and strong manner is how cigarette butts are the single greatest source of ocean trash. to highlight this problem, artistic director alice amiel, proposes to change the images and text found on cigarette packs for ones that aim to raise awareness on cigarette butts pollution.

from plastic bags to straws, environmentalist have been targeting pollutants systematically in order to raise awareness on how this is affecting the oceans. still, the number one contaminant is the small cigarette butt. ‘it’s pretty clear there is no health benefit from filters. they are just a marketing tool. and they make it easier for people to smoke,’ thomas novotny, a professor of public health at san diego state university told NBC news. ‘it’s also a major contaminant, with all that plastic waste. it seems like a no-brainer to me that we can’t continue to allow this.’

alice amiel’s project proposes to use cigarette packs to bring upfront ecological preventive messages to smokers as it seems that the spine-chilling images of damaged organs are not working anymore. the new messages proposed by amiel want to make smokers throw their butts in garbage cans or ashtrays instead of on beaches and streets. on the packs, messages highlight important pollution issues like the fact that one butt takes 10 years to disappear, that it can pollute 400 liters of water or that they are the first cause of mortality in marine species.

if you are interested in more of alice amiel’s work, check out her bechance page here.