BACKGROUND: This study addresses the relationship between tobacco consumption and its environmental impact in Costa Rica, with a specific focus on tobacco product waste (TPW). Despite being home to approximately 5% of the planet’s species while occupying only 0.03% of Earth’s surface, Costa Rica faces significant environmental challenges stemming from TPW, including cigarette waste, and electronic devices. This waste is a source of pollution, affecting water quality, air, and ecosystems. Additionally, they impose substantial financial costs on communities and public institutions rather than the tobacco industry.
METHODS: The methodology employed in this study focuses on estimating the prevention and mitigation costs of TPW. This approach quantifies costs associated with three key dimensions: solid waste management, water pollution, and CO2 emissions. Data from official sources, such as the Ministry of Health and the National Institute of Statistics and Census, were used to estimate the environmental and financial impact of TPW between 2015 and 2023. Avoided costs were also projected under a scenario of a 30% increase in tobacco taxes for the same period.
RESULTS: The results show that between 2015 and 2023, TPW generated 122,029 metric tons of waste annually, contaminated 718,344,952 cubic meters of water, and produced 167.5 thousand tons of CO2. The total costs associated with TPW, including waste management, water treatment, and CO2 mitigation, amounted to over 936 million USD. If tobacco taxes had been increased by 30% in 2015, by the end of 2023, more than 168 million USD in TPW-related costs could have been avoided.
CONCLUSIONS: The findings highlight the need to strengthen public and fiscal policies to hold the tobacco industry accountable for the environmental costs of its products. This study underscores the urgency of adopting comprehensive measures, including tax increases, effective waste regulation, and the promotion of a circular economy, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.