Contamination of Cigarette Butts at Chalatat Beach, Mueang District, Songkhla Province

Abstract

The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of cigarette butt litter along a 4.23-kilometer stretch of Chalatat Beach, Mueang District, Songkhla Province, spanning from the Darul Amal Mosque area to the Golden Mermaid Statue area. Eight sampling sessions were conducted between April and May 2019 at 21 designated points. The findings revealed 471 cigarette butts, constituting 65 percent of the total collected litter. The average quantity per point was 22.43±2.36 pieces, with a density of 11.21 pieces per square meter. Furthermore, the study identified various types of litter, with 21 percent being plastic waste, 9 percent foam, 3 percent rope, 1 percent hazardous waste, and an additional 1 percent comprising items like rubber, paper scraps, and cloth scraps. Notably, areas with high tourist activities, particularly sampling point 10, exhibited a substantial accumulation of cigarette butts, despite the existing measures by Songkhla Municipality to prohibit their disposal at Chalatat Beach. Nevertheless, the current quantity of cigarette butts remains higher than historical levels, indicating the necessity for more stringent guidelines. As a proactive measure, we have initiated a campaign aimed at effectively addressing the cigarette butt issue at Chalatat Beach.