Number of cigarette butts on Swiss playgrounds has risen
Published: Tuesday, Dec 3rd 2024, 09:50
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According to an analysis from September 2024, there are an average of 91 carelessly discarded cigarette butts lying around in children's playgrounds in Switzerland. This is 14 more than in the 2022 survey, as the stop2drop association announced on Tuesday.
Of the 170 playgrounds examined in 22 cantons, 98.5 percent were found to be littered with cigarette butts - one even had 686 of them. The butts are made of plastic and contain over 7000 toxic chemicals. They end up in the environment with rain and snow and, according to stop2drop, pose a risk to both the environment and children's health.
A discarded cigarette butt may seem inconspicuous, but it is particularly dangerous for small children. If they swallow the stub or gnaw on it, it can lead to poisoning. Moreover, children learn by observing, according to stop2drop. If adults smoke in playgrounds, children are more likely to pick up a cigarette themselves later on.
"Smoking in playgrounds must be a thing of the past," explained stop2drop Managing Director Markus Dick. Children have a right to clean and smoke-free places where they can play carefree. stop2drop was initiated in 2019 by a school class in the canton of Bern. Since 2022, stop2drop has been organized as an independent association.
©Keystone/SDA
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