CA County To Become First In World To Ban Filtered Cigarettes

SANTA CRUZ, CA — A Golden State county will soon become the first county in the world to ban filtered cigarettes.

On Jan. 1, 2027, a sales ban will take effect in coastal Santa Cruz County.

“Cigarette butts are toxic, they're useless and they're everywhere. As the guardians of Monterey Bay, we're standing up and telling Big Tobacco, this ends NOW. We invite communities worldwide to join us," Supervisor Manu Koenig wrote in a statement.

The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors voted to ban the sale of filtered cigarettes and cigars in October 2024.

More than 90 percent of cigarettes sold worldwide have a filter, according to Tobacco Tactics from the University of Bath. These filters are usually made of a non-biodegradable plastic called cellulose acetate.

The county says the first-of-its-kind ban marks a significant step toward protecting public health, the environment and ensuring a "cohesive policy" in the region.

The new ordinance follows comes after similar bans passed in the cities of Santa Cruz and Capitola this year.

Here's what leaders in the county say the ordinance will do:

• "Reduce tobacco filter pollution, thereby protecting marine and terrestrial ecosystems.
• Lower cleanup costs for community volunteers, local agencies, and taxpayers.
• Support businesses that rely on a clean, healthy environment and the Santa Cruz region’s reputation as an environmental leader."

The county says cigarette butts are the single-most common form of litter on earth, with 4.5 trillion butts discarded annually.

To support the rollout of the new policy in both unincorporated areas and the cities of Santa Cruz and Capitola, Santa Cruz County Public Health’s Tobacco Education and Prevention Program said it will provide outreach materials for business owners, retailers and community members. These materials will explain the policy changes, implementation timelines, and offer technical assistance with product transitions. The program will also help train and support enforcement workers.

“Santa Cruz County is always at the forefront of making change. This policy adds to the legacy of our community standing up to big corporations to protect the health of our residents and our environment,” Supervisors Justin Cummings wrote in a statement. “This is just the beginning, and we look forward to supporting other communities who wish to join our effort. ”