Cigarette Litter
Friends who know me best know that one of my biggest pet-peeves is litter. I loathe people who trash our city and public places that should be kept clean. That includes people who flick their cigarette ashes and butts from car windows.
It pisses me off when someone’s cancer stick comes flying my way. Not only is it disrespectful to other people on the road, but it is another form of litter. It’s no different than tossing an empty McDonald’s cup on the street.
And, here’s what really gets me going. Cars are built with ashtrays, right? I know my cars have always had one. So, why is it cigarette smokers don’t use them? Maybe someone who smokes and drives can explain that to me. Just don’t tell me it’s easier, because that really means you’re just lazy, which is a common trait I find in people who litter. It’s really laziness.
Either way, I hate it. I think it’s rude and inconsiderate, and there should be stiff penalties for people who do it. I think smokers who toss their butts from cars should be fined, just as they would for littering.
Surprisingly, Nevada has a law prohibiting motorists from throwing lit cigarettes from a moving vehicle. But, who really enforces that law? When was the last time anyone got pulled over for throwing a cigarette from their car? I’m guessing rarely to never, especially in Las Vegas where there aren’t enough police to battle other crimes.
It’s not to say people in Nevada don’t care about litter, because they do. One organization, Don’t Trash Nevada, promotes ways residents can clean up the garbage people leave in our state’s national parks, streets and neighborhoods. And, it educates the community about what litter does to our environment.
According to Don’t Trash Nevada, cigarette butts last a long time and end up in storm drains, which eventually flush right into Lake Mead.
So, if you’re a smoker, stop and think about what you’re doing before throwing your cigarette into the road. You may think it’s harmless, but you’re harming our environment and you’re pissing me off. So, stop!
You’re so right. That is one thing I can say I hate too, even having a smoke here and there. I’ve put my cigarettes out and threw them in the garbage. It looks disgusting and I dislike myself for even being involved. But cigarette butts on the ground, ewww! I want to just pick them up and throw them at the people who do this. At myself for even indulging. I apologize if I ever did it, don’t do it anymore and will certainly tell anyone I see to respect the environment.
-smoker unanonymous
Then there’s always the fire danger! There is a BIG fine if you toss your cig on BLM owned land!!! It’s a federal offense! Something to think about — because our climate is so dry.
Hi..
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hey i do haft to agree about it, but to prove you are wrong that it is not enforced, i got a ticket for it today. I use the ash tray in my car but driving 65 down the freeway, and you can ask any smoker this, it blows out of you hand and/or slips. i dont waste cigarettes, nor litter. so make sure to talk to us. the tickets do happen. and more than to just me, i have seen and heard of it plunty of time, talk to more smokers. they will tell you!
Cigarette Litter – An unseen environmental danger
I would like to draw attention to a problem which is largely forgotten.
Visit buttless.org for more information on how to sponsor a local or regional campaign today. Buttless products are the number 1 choice for governments and Businesses around the world.
Government and environmental agencies worldwide are spending millions of tax dollars tackling a problem that until recently has been largely unnoticed.
Cigarette litter has impacted on our environment to such an extent that it has become a focal point for top level governmental discussions worldwide.
Visual aids used to educate smokers about the harmful effects of their carelessness are easy enough, but proving to be ineffective. Innocently perhaps, smokers are generally unaware of the damage their littering causes the environmet.
Many Government and business organisations in Australia, USA, United Kingdom and further afield have put their corporate name and branding to support local and national anti-cigarette litter campaigns using ButtLess Personal Ashtrays.
Worldwide indoor smoking bans, whilst valid and necessary have had the counter effect of forcing millions of smokers to smoke outside. With this comes unsightly, unpleasant and unhealthy littering, as the butts will generally be cast off wherever they have finished their cigarette.
The Number one choice for city officials around the world the ButtLess Personal Ashtray has a depressed button designed to ensure it can never be opened accidentally and is finished in a range of attractive colours making them practical, attractive and safe to use. It is these features plus the excellent advertising and promotion space on the unit that has seen customers keep returning and working together with us to help improve their local environment.