Tony Hawk and Ziggy Marley address eco-impact of smoking in new video

Tony Hawk and Ziggy Marley draw attention to the environmental issues of discarded cigarette butts in a new video released to coincide with Earth Day on April 22.

The video, produced by American Public health organization Legacy, features professional skateboarder Tony Hawk, musician and son of Bob Marley, Ziggy Marley, and a host of other celebrities.

Though smoking is often demonized for its negative effect on health, this video takes a different approach looking instead at the negative environmental effects of cigarettes.

The stars of the video draw parallels between the act of discarding cigarette butts with throwing everyday items such as water bottles, car tires and even guitars on the street; as each item is discarded the video displays the questioning text "Really?"

Discarded cigarette ends have been shown to have toxic effects on natural ecosystems. Research conducted by Legacy and released April 19, found that in 2010 around two million cigarette ends were collected as part of the event International Coast Clean Up and that cigarette butts are the number one littered item in the United States.

The full video, released April 22,  is available to watch and share via Facebook at:  http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150221525048973 .

Other celebrities drawing attention to environmental causes this April include actress Emily Deschanel, from the crime series Bones along with actor Christian Slater who give green lifestyle tips as part of the Fox network's " Green it. Mean it" campaign (US only). Meanwhile Ellen Page, from the film Juno, has narrated a film about the plight of bees which will be shown as part of the Do Something Reel film festival in the United States.

Now in its 41st year, Earth Day is an international environmental event occurring on April 22 designed to raise awareness of climate change.

This year the organizers behind the event are encouraging business and members of the public to pledge to commit a positive environmental action as part of the Billion Acts of Green campaign. The organizers then intend to present these pledges at the Global Earth Summit in Rio in 2012. More information about the campaign and Earth Day events can be found at: http://www.earthday.org/.