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Cigarette butts don't only pollute the environment – they also affect the behaviour of some animals. A study by a team from the University of Mexico [1] found that some birds use cellulose acetate (the main component of the filter) when building their nests. When the cigarette burns, it produces numerous toxins, in addition to nicotine, which is known to be a powerful insecticide. Some of these substances are retained in the filter and can repel parasites.
Birds have been using plants such as tobacco leaves, which are known for their repellent effects, for a long time. Using cigarette butts could therefore be seen as an “adaptation” of this practice in a time where plant biodiversity is continually decreasing and pollution from cigarette butts is permeating ecosystems.
However, the authors underlined that in addition to their pest controlling effect in nests, cigarette butts in the environment probably result in numerous negative effects on the birds that are yet to be fully measured.
