At the end of each cigarette is a filter. Filters are designed to remove toxins from tobacco while the cigarette is smoked, so a used filter can contain up to 165 chemicals. Sixty of these are chemicals known to cause cancer, such as arsenic, formaldehyde, chromium and lead.
The chemicals from cigarette butts leach into water and sand - a big concern for the partners of "BUTT-FREE Beach". Many aquatic organisms like salamanders and frogs breathe through their skin and are highly sensitive to chemicals like those found in cigarette butts.
Cigarettes buried in the sand can be picked up — and ingested — by children playing on the beach. And watch your bare feet! Freshly tossed butts can burn you if you happen to step on the fresh embers.

Butt..what can I do?
Thanks for caring! Your beaches from Wasaga Beach to the world, need to be cigarette BUTT-FREE. Here are some ways you can help beaches:
- Learn more about why cigarette butts don’t belong on your beach!
Links to 5 reasons why
- Tell your friends!
- Find out more about beach stewardship and conservation activities from the partners Environmental Defence (and the Blue Flag program) , Environment Network, Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation, Wasaga Beach Provincial Park, and Georgian Bay Forever.
Thank you to these references and sources

Brian Nabuurs. Making a difference!
