Reuters reports, “The City of Baltimore has launched what it called a ‘first of its kind’ lawsuit targeting tobacco companies Philip Morris, Altria Group and others over cigarette-butt litter, arguing they’re responsible for the discarded filters that cost millions to clean up every year.” Baltimore’s lawsuit “said the tobacco companies’ refusal to use biodegradable cigarette filters or to add labels to packaging that warn about the dangers of discarded filters contributes to an estimated $5.3 million annual bill for cleanup, paid primarily by the city.” Baltimore “is seeking to recoup the costs of cleanup as well as other damages from lowered property values and environmental harms.”

From the news release of the American Association for Justice.