University of Richmond hosted a screening of the documentary Cigarette Surfboard as part of the 2026 RVA Environmental Film Festival. We went and met the filmmaker, Ben Judkins.
The film is a documentary that follows surfer and designer Taylor Lane. He sees a problem and takes action.
He builds a functional surfboard from 10,000 cigarette butts collected from California beaches; “Ciggy Board”. He researches and documents the toxicity of cigarette filters that end up in our oceans/beaches. And, in aquatic life and human bodies (not good).
The Ciggy Board serves as a platform to discuss ocean stewardship, plastic pollution, and holding Big Tobacco accountable for toxic waste.
Lane pursued legislation to band the sale of cigarettes with filters. Think one use waste that’s toxic. Scientifically proven.
The fight continues. What can you do to be part of the solution?
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