The Issue:
Tobacco and nicotine aren’t just a public health issue. They impact the environment, too. Cigarette butts are the most littered item on the planet. They aren’t biodegradable so they don’t break down, and they leak toxic waste into the environment. Also, littered e-cig cartridges and pods leak heavy metals and residual nicotine into the environment. Plus, most e-cig companies (like JUUL) still haven’t established a way to recycle their products. So in addition to being highly addictive, cigarettes and vaping products are contributing to Earth’s mounting toxic litter problem. Yuck.
The Game Design Prompt:
Create a game that reveals how smoking and vaping are contributing to Earth’s mounting toxic litter problem.
Cigarette butts are the most littered item on Earth.
Toxins can seep out of littered cigarette butts and contaminate the water.
Cigarettes aren’t biodegradable, which means they don’t break down over time.
Littered e-cig pods can leak heavy metals and residual nicotine into the environment.
Truth Initiative’s The Vault is a collection of facts, activities and multimedia resources that teach students about the harmful effects of smoking on the environment. Explore, react and take action!
Cigarette use is not only a health issue, it is also an environmental issue. They are the most littered item in the world. The waste from cigarettes can leach toxic chemicals into the environment, leading to land, water and air pollution.
Article: Cigarettes + Environment = Disaster
Activity: The Butt Invasion Game
Because of heavy metals and residual nicotine, e-cigs can qualify as both e-waste *AND* biohazard waste.
Article: H*CKEN METAL
Activity: The Most Metal Quiz
TAKE ACTION: Ready to take action? Join the fight against tobacco and vaping in the community, environment and pop culture.
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