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In Latvia, an increasing number of smokers check whether there is a waste bin nearby before smoking and refrain from discarding cigarette butts on the ground when no bin is available. A comparison of the 2023 and 2026 survey results shows a significant change in smokers’ habits. As part of the LIFE integrated project “Waste To Resources Latvia - boosting regional sustainability and circularity”, a follow-up survey was carried out on smokers’ behaviour, tobacco product use habits and littering in public spaces.

The survey was commissioned by Ltd “Zaļā josta” and conducted by the market and social research centre “Latvijas Fakti” between March and May 2026, surveying 522 cigarette smokers across Latvia. The aim of the survey was to determine how smokers’ behaviour regarding cigarette butts has changed since 2023, as well as to assess the results of public awareness, education and infrastructure improvement measures implemented during the project.

Responsible behaviour is increasingly becoming a habit

The comparison of the surveys shows that over the past three years, the proportion of smokers who consider in advance where they will be able to dispose of their cigarette butt has increased significantly.

Key findings:

• 77% of respondents always or often check whether there is a waste bin nearby before smoking. In 2023, 44% of respondents reported doing so. This represents an increase of 33 percentage points.

• 80% of respondents say that when no waste bin is available nearby, they either do not smoke or keep the cigarette butt with them until they find a suitable disposal point. In 2023, 68% of respondents acted this way, representing an increase of 12 percentage points.

• 78% of respondents say they never drop a cigarette butt on the ground when there is no waste bin nearby. In 2023, 46% of respondents gave this answer. Over the three-year period, this indicator improved by 32 percentage points.

The results indicate that for the majority of respondents, responsible disposal of cigarette butts is increasingly becoming a normal part of everyday behaviour. Smokers are more likely to check in advance whether a waste bin is available and are more willing to keep the cigarette butt with them rather than leave it in the environment. The report also concludes that the project’s objective - to raise public awareness of the environmental impact of cigarette butts and improve proper disposal habits - has generally been achieved.

Drains, sand and snow are not suitable disposal locations

Although the overall trend is very positive, the survey also highlights behaviours that still require further attention. One in four smokers surveyed admitted that when no waste bin is available nearby, they always or often dispose of cigarette butts in drains, bury them in sand or snow, or otherwise attempt to hide them. Such behaviour is sometimes mistakenly perceived as less harmful to the environment; however, cigarette butts disposed of in this way still end up in the environment.

Meanwhile, 5% of respondents admitted that they always or often simply drop cigarette butts on the ground when no waste bin is available nearby. A further 7% are willing to drop a cigarette butt on the ground when the area is already visibly littered. The survey results therefore show that the condition of the surrounding environment also influences people’s subsequent behaviour: for some, a littered area creates the false impression that one more discarded cigarette butt will not make a significant difference.

Differences can also be observed between social groups

More environmentally responsible behaviour was reported more often by women and people with higher education. Men, on the other hand, were more likely to admit disposing of cigarette butts in drains, burying them in sand or snow, or, in some cases, dropping them on the ground.

Young people under the age of 24 use electronic cigarettes more frequently than other age groups, which do not generate traditional cigarette butts. At the same time, inappropriate waste disposal and cigarette butt littering were also observed more frequently in this age group. These findings help to identify more precisely the groups that should receive particular attention in future awareness-raising and educational activities.

Public awareness and accessible infrastructure must be developed together

The survey confirms that public awareness, education and access to suitable cigarette butt collection infrastructure can contribute to positive behavioural change. To ensure that the results achieved are maintained in the long term, public spaces need clearly visible and easily accessible waste bins, while communication efforts should continue to explain that disposing of cigarette butts in drains, sand, snow or elsewhere in the environment does not constitute responsible waste management.

The comparison between the 2023 and 2026 surveys demonstrates a clear positive trend: an increasing number of smokers recognise their responsibility and choose to dispose of cigarette butts in designated waste bins.

The full evaluation and monitoring report on smokers’ behaviour, tobacco product use habits and littering in public spaces in Latvia is available in Latvian here.