The City of Albuquerque filed suit in New Mexico state court in August 2026 against major tobacco manufacturers and a local distributor, seeking recovery of public costs allegedly associated with discarded plastic cigarette filters.
The complaint alleges that cellulose-acetate filters persist as plastic waste, accumulate in public spaces, and are carried by wind and stormwater into Albuquerque’s drainage system, arroyos, and the Rio Grande. The City seeks recovery of alleged cleanup, maintenance, environmental-response, and abatement costs.
New Mexico and national coverage has focused on the City’s allegation that taxpayers should not bear the long-term costs of a product-waste stream that manufacturers allegedly knew would be widely littered. McIntyre Schnieders is among counsel representing Albuquerque in the litigation.
Selected Coverage
- KRQE News 13 — City of Albuquerque sues eight tobacco companies over plastic cigarette filters ↗
- The Paper. — Burque sues big tobacco to clean up its butts from city parks, drains ↗
- Nicotine Insider — Another City Sues Big Tobacco Over Butts ↗
- ABQ RAW — Keller Administration Goes After Cigarette Companies for Litter in Streets ↗
The lawsuit contains allegations that have not yet been adjudicated. The linked reporting is published by independent third parties; McIntyre Schnieders does not control or endorse every statement in those reports.