When this project is successful, perhaps it will be the hope for the whole Earth.
60 million – that’s the number of cigarette butts found on beaches in less than 10 years. According to statistics from the Center for Ocean Conservation (OC), tobacco is one of the most common types of waste in the sea, even more harmful than plastic waste.
Cigarette filters are made from cellulose acetate , a compound that takes decades to break down. Every year, an estimated 5.6 trillion cigarettes are consumed worldwide, that’s the same number of filters that are thrown away, and two-thirds of that number is thrown away irresponsibly.
60 million – that’s the number of cigarette butts found on beaches in less than 10 years.
But fortunately, we still have people who gradually realize the mistakes of humanity and try to correct them. As in Astypalea – a beautiful island located in the south of Greece, the mayor here decided to make it the first island in the world to be free of tobacco.
And see, how the environment thanked this decision.
The sea in Greece is beautiful, but for years it has suffered from a widespread problem of litter, including cigarette butts. Every year, volunteers from a non-profit organization in Greece try to launch a campaign to clean up the beaches here, but to no avail.
It only took about 2 hours to collect enough cigarette filters to fit 2 plastic bottles at a beach in Greece.
Panormitis Kontaratos, the mayor of the island of Astypalea, therefore thought of a smoke-free prospect on the island, and named it “Smoke-free Astypalea”.
Admittedly, this is a rather far-fetched goal, considering that Greece has the highest rate of tobacco consumption in Europe. The country also does not have strict laws against smoking in public.
However, according to Kontaratos, his goal is not to ban it, but to have tourists and locals volunteer to follow suit, aiming for a better future for the island.
Both the islanders and the local government are looking for ways to encourage visitors to give up smoking and adopt healthier habits – like cycling or jogging. A rather paradoxical but very interesting point is that this campaign is sponsored by Papastratos – one of the largest tobacco companies in Greece.
Astypalea Island shows people how the beach has changed when no one is discharging cigarette butts.
Towards a smoke -free future, Astypalea Island focuses on promoting the quality of life of islanders and tourists after giving up smoking, especially showing them how the beach has changed. when no one else flushes out the cigarette butts .
According to the mayor, since this is not a ban, smokers are still welcome in Astypalea. “We still welcome them, but hopefully when they’re on an island where everyone doesn’t smoke, they’ll decide to give up smoking and live a healthier life,” Kontaratos said.