As many coastal cities make the move to ban plastic straws, activists are trying to raise awareness about cigarette butts, which they say are a much greater source of ocean pollution.
The filters have been the most-collected item on the world's beaches for 32 consecutive years of the Ocean Conservancy's annual beach cleanup, more than plastic wrappers, eating utensils, bottles and containers combined.
Among those arguing that cigarette butts should be banned are the international Surfrider Foundation, a California lawmaker, and leading tobacco industry academic Thomas Novotny.
Cigarette butts (filters) are a major contaminant -- containing plastic waste.