A Twickenham pub has been temporarily renamed as part of a campaign to raise awareness about disposing of cigarette butts.

Three in 10 smokers wrongly believe cigarette butts are biodegradable, according to research.

A study of 1,000 smokers revealed 38 per cent have tossed a stub down a drain, with three in 10 believing this to be an 'appropriate' method of disposal.

More than a third (34 per cent) even thought binning them in drains would accelerate the breakdown of the cigarettes. 

Key reasons for discarding fag-ends this way include being in a rush (23 per cent) or simply feeling that everyone else does it so they may as well to the same (15 per cent).

The study was commissioned by Keep Britain Tidy, which is working with a London pub to highlight cigarette-related litter problems, after its data revealed hospitality premises see among the highest volumes of discard butts.

'The White Swan', in Twickenham is being renamed to 'The Poisoned Swan' to highlight the impact dropping butts down drains has on wildlife.

New signs have been installed at the Twickenham pub (image via SWNS)

New patron, Johnny Vegas, said: "It seems a lot of smokers don't realise they're doing more harm than good by disposing of their butts in drains. 

"I was one of them! I was once fined for throwing my ciggie down a drain. 

"But it is littering and does have a big impact - so make sure you use a bin or a pocket ashtray to dispose of them correctly."

Data from the environmental charity also found 47 per cent of smokers are unaware that dropping butts into drains could lead to environmental harm as they end up in waterways, seas or on beaches.

According to experts, cigarette butts are made of plastic, don't ever biodegrade, and contain more than 7,000 different chemicals that break apart into microplastics and toxins that seep into the environment.

Studies have shown one cigarette end could contaminate up to 1,000 litres of water, while the toxins can also be ingested by small animals, birds and fish.

New patro of Keep Britain Tidy, Johnny Vegas (image via SWNS)

Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, Chief Executive of Keep Britain Tidy, which is working with local authorities to add signage outside pubs, cigarette bins and butt boxes and stencils around drains, added: "Cigarette butts are the country's - and the world's - most widespread litter problem with billions being thrown on the ground or dropped down drains every year. 

"These cigarette butts are made out of plastic and are covered in toxins, poisoning our environment.

"Many smokers believe that putting their butt down the drain is the right thing to do, but that couldn't be further from the truth. 

"Once cigarette butts reach out waterways, they wreak havoc with the environment - in fact just one butt can contaminate up to 1,000 litres of water and harm wildlife. 

"Our interventions have so far reduced cigarette litter in drains by 57 per cent, and we are thrilled that the White Swan and Johnny Vegas are joining us to educate, change behaviours and substantially reduce cigarette litter."