Santa Cruz County, California, is making history. Officials have announced that the sale of filtered cigarettes will be banned across the county starting in 2027, a move they describe as the first of its kind anywhere in the world. The ban follows similar ordinances in the City of Santa Cruz, approved in June, and the City of Capitola, which passed its ban earlier this month.

The county’s Board of Supervisors first approved the filtered cigarette ban for unincorporated areas last October, signaling a growing regional effort to reduce the health and environmental risks associated with smoking.

Story Highlights:

• Santa Cruz County announces a pioneering filtered cigarette sales ban.

• Cities of Santa Cruz and Capitola have already passed similar ordinances.

• Ban targets public health and environmental protection.

• Enforcement in Santa Cruz County begins Jan. 1, 2027; Capitola July 1, 2027.

• 4.5 trillion cigarette butts are discarded worldwide annually.

Supervisor Justin Cummings emphasized the county’s leadership role in public health initiatives. “Santa Cruz County is always at the forefront of making change,” Cummings said. “This policy adds to the legacy of our community standing up to big corporations to protect the health of our residents and our environment.”

Cummings highlighted that the filtered cigarette ban is part of a broader trend in the county toward environmental responsibility. Santa Cruz County has previously implemented restrictions on single-use plastics and a ban on Styrofoam products. Officials note that these bans did not have lasting negative economic impacts, suggesting that the filtered cigarette ban could similarly benefit both the community and the environment.

Supervisor Manu Koenig spoke strongly on the environmental impact of cigarette waste. “Cigarette butts are toxic, they’re useless, and they’re everywhere,” Koenig said. “As the guardians of Monterey Bay, we’re standing up and telling Big Tobacco, this ends now.”

Officials note that cigarette filters, while marketed as a safer option for smokers, provide no proven health benefits. Meanwhile, discarded cigarette butts have become the single-most common form of litter globally, with an estimated 4.5 trillion thrown away each year. The filtered cigarette ban is designed to tackle both the public health risks of smoking and the environmental damage caused by cigarette waste.

The county’s Tobacco Education Coalition will lead outreach efforts, providing educational materials to retailers and the wider community ahead of the ban. Enforcement dates will vary by jurisdiction: Santa Cruz County and the City of Santa Cruz will begin on January 1, 2027, while the City of Capitola will start enforcement on July 1, 2027.

Supervisor Cummings underscored the county’s vision for the future. “This is just the beginning, and we look forward to supporting other communities who wish to join our effort,” he said, reinforcing the county’s aim to inspire nationwide action.

The Santa Cruz County filtered cigarette ban represents a landmark step toward healthier communities and cleaner environments, setting a precedent that other counties and cities may soon follow.

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