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Smokers’ Attitude and Behavior towards Cigarette Littering in Romania: A Survey-Based Approach

Author

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  • Elena Simina Lakatos

    (Institute for Research in Circular Economy and Environment Ernest Lupan, 400800 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
    Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Robotics and Product Management, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 400641 Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

  • Lucian Ionel Cioca

    (Faculty of Engineering, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, 10 Victoriei Blv., 550024 Sibiu, Romania)

  • Andrea Szilagyi

    (Institute for Research in Circular Economy and Environment Ernest Lupan, 400800 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
    Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Robotics and Product Management, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 400641 Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

  • Andreea Loredana Bîrgovan

    (Institute for Research in Circular Economy and Environment Ernest Lupan, 400800 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
    Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Robotics and Product Management, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 400641 Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

  • Elena Cristina Rada

    (Theoretical and Applied Science Department, Insubria University, 46 Via G.B. Vico, I-21100 Varese, Italy)

Abstract

Cigarette butts continue to be a significantly detrimental challenge for both human health and the quality of the environment and life in general. The escalating accumulation of inadequately discarded cigarette butts continues unabated, in spite of the myriad legislative procedures that have been instituted by authorities with the objective of incentivizing diminution of this phenomenon. For decades, the scientific literature has discussed the importance of smokers’ behavior and beliefs in contributing to the problem. Thus, the objective of this study is to analyze cigarette butt littering behavior using a survey-based questionnaire. A total of 1643 complete responses were collected from Romanian smokers addressing their knowledge, practices, and views regarding the disposal of cigarette butts. According to the findings, awareness about the impacts and characteristics of cigarette butts is problematic, as are smokers’ self-reported explanations for their conduct. Specifically, more than 30% of the sample stated that cigarette butts are biodegradable, and 31.5% believe that cigarette butts are not toxic to the environment. The results also showed that only 19.7% of the smokers strongly believed that they should be considered accountable for their behavior. Future study directions are provided to advance studies in this area and improve present approaches to lessen the frequency of this behavior.

Suggested Citation

  • Elena Simina Lakatos & Lucian Ionel Cioca & Andrea Szilagyi & Andreea Loredana Bîrgovan & Elena Cristina Rada, 2023. "Smokers’ Attitude and Behavior towards Cigarette Littering in Romania: A Survey-Based Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-10, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:15:p:11908-:d:1209270
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Thomas Webler & Karin Jakubowski, 2022. "Attitudes, Beliefs, and Behaviors about Cigarette-Butt Littering among College-Aged Adults in the United States," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-18, July.
    2. Elena Simina Lakatos & Lucian-Ionel Cioca & Viorel Dan & Alina Oana Ciomos & Oana Adriana Crisan & Ghita Barsan, 2018. "Studies and Investigation about the Attitude towards Sustainable Production, Consumption and Waste Generation in Line with Circular Economy in Romania," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-25, March.
    3. Elena Simina Lakatos & Viorel Dan & Lucian Ionel Cioca & Laura Bacali & Andreea Maria Ciobanu, 2016. "How Supportive Are Romanian Consumers of the Circular Economy Concept: A Survey," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(8), pages 1-17, August.
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