Replies

And the smoker who doesn't throw his butts to the ground is the exception, rather than the rule. I've witnessed every smoker I've ever known throw a butt down

I'm a former smoker. Possibly more considerate than most.

But consider in the last several years, public ashtrays all but disappeared. Putting a cigarette butt in an outdoor trash receptacle is a dangerous practice - it could easily start a fire. You can't bring the butts inside anymore to dispose of them - the smoke nazis would raise holy hell from the smell.

Sadly, the only option is to toss them on the ground.

For most smokers, the only place they can smoke without offending someone, somewhere, is their car. If they're the only driver, the ashtray is an option, but assuredly if they are not, other non-smoking drivers will find the scent of cigarette butts in an ashtray offensive - the residual smell of smoking is bad enough, but old butts are far worse.

I'm not excusing the behavior, or condoning smoking. Most smokers earnestly want to quit - usually after it's too late to easily do so. They don't want to litter on top of it, but these days, given all the ways a smoker runs afoul of someone's sensibilities, butt littering is probably the least of several evils they have to choose between.

...butt littering is probably the least of several evils they have to choose between.

Not to me, it's not -- I have to pick the damned things up, dozens every week.

People have the right to smoke, but they don't have the right to throw their butts to the ground. A smoker's habit should never become someone else's problem -- no way, no how.

Disrespect for my property is the least of my worries, because the possibility of property destruction by fire always remains. My brother is a firefighter, and he's often called out for brush fires, started by a cigarette butt. Who pays for that?

If you're a smoker carry something with you to dispose of your butts -- it's your responsibility, no one elses. If you're in your car the ashtray is the ONLY option, not just "an option."

Sadly, the only option is to toss them on the ground.

I'd say I'm surprised by that statement -- especially from a FReeper -- but nothing surprises me any longer. Somehow, folks from all walks of life seem to find justification for unacceptable behavior.