British American PLC controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2026
Denver sues tobacco companies over cigarette butt litter cleanup costs
Lawsuit filed
Denver filed a lawsuit in district court against Philip Morris USA, Altria Group, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, Reynolds American, Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company, British American PLC, ITC Brands, Liggett Group, Liggett Vector Brands and Peerless Products, seeking to recover costs for cleaning up discarded cigarette butts and damage to city infrastructure, stormwater systems and waterways. The city alleges public nuisance, trespass, negligence and product liability violations related to non-biodegradable cellulose acetate filters.
Stated objective. To recover costs associated with cleaning up cigarette butt litter and damage to city infrastructure, stormwater systems and waterways
Source excerpt
Cellulose acetate, the commonly used material for cigarette filters, is not biodegradable and some experts say it can leach microplastics into water and the environment.
Denver’s lawsuit, filed this week in a district court, claimed that taxpayers should not have to bear the financial burden for damage to city-owned and maintained property, including infrastructure, stormwater systems and waterways, caused — according to the city — by cigarette filters.
The city also alleged that the tobacco companies are in violation of public nuisance, trespass, negligence and product liability laws.