Team C1

Our primary research for our first community event

Why isn't the city collaborating with tobacco/nicotine companies to help provide effective solutions for proper disposal?

For this question, we were particularly curious about why there were no mandatory labels on vape and cigarette products that would inform consumers about proper disposal methods. We learned that one of the main reasons the city of Hamilton specifically has not worked to implement informative labels is because product labeling falls under federal legislation. We also found that it often takes a long time for companies to change their labeling. For example, it took many years before vape products were required to have health warnings on them.

How would you suggest that we incentivize the proper disposal of vape and cigarette waste, while not encouraging smoking or vaping?

We learned that are there many different ways to encourage and incentivize the proper disposal of cigarette and vape waste that already exists. For example, ashtrays that allow someone to vote on a polarizing topic are often used to reduce the littering of cigarette butts. There are also many programs that reward recycling, which can be a method used to encourage the recycling of used vapes. We realized that simply incentivizing the proper disposal of vape and cigarette products will likely not lead to an individual beginning to smoke or vape.

What are the most critical factors to consider when designing programs aimed at reducing cigarette and vape waste, especially among young adults?

We found that there are three main things to consider. The first is feasibility, which asks questions like: "Would young adults respond to this program and take action or not?" and "Is this program feasible to implement?" The second factor to consider is evidence. For new programs to be implemented there must be sufficient evidence of the issue and that the proposed solution will show significant results. Finally, the third factor to consider is the return on investment. The implementation of new programs is expensive, therefore it is important to demonstrate the importance of a new program and its value for the dollar.

What are some reasons the city of Hamilton may have to focus on reducing cigarette waste, rather than vape waste?

There are two main explanations we found for the disproportionate amount of solutions that focus on reducing litter from cigarettes rather than vapes. Firstly, vapes are a relatively new product compared to cigarettes. People may not understand the impact they can have on the environment and most of the concerns with vapes we see today are focusing on the health effects of using them. Secondly, cigarettes are single use and vapes are not. Because cigarettes are single-use, people tend to throw them out when and wherever they are done with them. As a result of this, more cigarettes butts can be found around Hamilton, leading the city to focus on this issue.

Our initial solution prototype was designed to be implemented on McMaster campus. we originally planned to place our designated waste receptacles on the previously existing garbage and recycling bins, so they would be easily accessible to students. However, after speaking with various community members, our program directors, and our peer mentor we decided to implement our solution just outside of campus. This is because of McMaster's smoke-free policy, which would make it difficult to implement any solution related to smoking and vaping on campus.

For our final solution prototype, we plan to implement our solution outside of McMaster campus, placing our waste receptacles at the main entrances of campus. This way our solution will still be accessible to students on and off campus, while not violating the schools smoke-free policy.