Smoke less
No more butts, just stop smoking.
Smoking is the greatest single cause of illness and premature death in the UK. You've probably thought about quitting, and maybe you've even tried once or twice (good on you!). It's a challenge that's really worth sticking with – you'll be wealthier and healthier, and whilst it won't save the planet single handed, it'll help to save a little patch of rainforest and hold back a little pollution.
Health
Cigarettes make us sick. Not surprising when each one contains more than 4,000 different chemicals, many of which are harmful to the body. Sadly smoking causes 100,000 people in the UK to die each year.1
But the good news is that your body starts to bounce back the moment you quit. If you stop smoking before about 35, your life expectancy is only slightly less than people who have never smoked. And the younger you quit the better, so what are you waiting for?
Environment
Tobacco plantations take up lots of space, which leads to deforestation and loss of biodiversity. And tobacco is a particularly greedy plant, consuming more nutrients than most other crops, and putting more strain on the land. The pesticides and fertilisers which help the tobacco to grow faster also contribute to land and water pollution.
Of course, tobacco is not the only raw material that goes into cigarettes: cigarette-manufacturing machines use up to four miles of paper an hour. And when we've finished with them, cigarette butts are washed into rivers, lakes and the ocean where they are eaten by birds, animals and fish.
Money
£1,000 can buy you a lot of things. Use your imagination, what could you get with that money each year instead of it going up in smoke?
£1,000
Senses
Advertisers would like us to think that smoking is attractive, but not many people find stained teeth and stale-tobacco-smell alluring. You'll come up smelling of roses when you stop smoking. And you'll be able to smell and taste better too – so that romantic dinner date will be even more fun.
Global Goals
In September 2017, a historic agreement was signed by UN member nations agreeing to work towards 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development by 2030, otherwise known as the SDGs.
Achieving these ambitious goals will require action from governments, businesses, NGOs, and individuals alike. We can - and must - all play our part.
By making the 'Pack it in' pledge, you are contributing in your own small way to the following SDG targets:
3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being
12.8: By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature
13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning
Success Stories
268
Pledges
in total
5,994kg
CO2
pledged