Three times this week I have driven behind someone who has tossed a cigarette out of their car window. My question for smokers is this: Why do you feel it is okay to throw a cigarette butt on the ground or out of your car window? Why do you not consider that littering? I am sure you wouldn't throw any other piece of paper on the ground (well, maybe some people would) but why is it acceptable to do that with a cigarette? It takes between 10 and 14 years for a cigarette filter to decompose. So, I will beg to differ with anyone who doesn't consider that littering. I am not being critical or judgmental here...I am truly curious what the thought process is when people throw a cigarette on the ground or out the window.
2006-10-13 10:14:10 · 13 answers · asked by Cyndie 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
Seriously, folks...I'm not preaching. I just wondered when it happened three times this week why people don't consider that littering. So, I thought I would ask.
2006-10-13 10:22:01 · update #1
Well, as one answerer said, it's harder to find the ashtray, but I did ride in the car of a smoker once and noticed also that the ashtray was FULL! When you smoke that many cigarettes, it must be difficult to find new places to put them.
Still, it does freak me out when I see one of those at night because there have been more than a few times when I thought their muffler was falling off and that the sparks were the metal dragging on the ground... so I'd swerve to avoid it, but then see nothing big was there.
2006-10-13 10:22:41 · answer #1 · answered by Cheshire Cat 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I know your right really, but its true that it is dangerous to try to put out a cigarette in the ashtray, if there even is one.
A cigarette butt, is a small amount of thin paper and a piece of cotton, where on earth did you hear it takes 14 years for it to decompose. Thats just not true , I have had cigarette butts in my own yard, and have seen the process. They are gone pretty rapidly. Its biodegradable material, and simply does not take that long.
BUT having said that, you are right and I have no excuse, it IS littering and would never throw out a paper, so I guess its just one of those things. I apologize for all the butts I have thrown, and will probably continue to throw out the car window.
2006-10-13 17:37:12 · answer #2 · answered by Coco 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am a smoker. I would say its because 1-you don't have to lean over to the ashtray, you can focus on the road. 2-We don't have to deal with the smell of a smokdering ciragette. 3-We actually hope to start a fire that will burn down our jobs, so we can have a reason to find a new one.
#3 is a joke, if you didn't notice.
2006-10-13 18:40:31 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Guilty as charged.
It is difficult to look down at the ashtray to put out you cigarette while you drive and not burn your finger or stray out of your lane.
Oh, and it takes 14 years to decompose in the landfill, too.
2006-10-13 17:17:11 · answer #4 · answered by Daddy of 5 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's probably because they don't have an ashtray in their car or a popcan or something. It's not out of spite to you, anyone or even the Earth. Here's a way of looking at it... this world's already doomed, we can't help anymore. We've screwed things up so bad, it's nearly improbably to turn this around to 100%, so lighten up you tree huggin' hippie! We're all screwed, and that's all that matters. Good day... I SAID GOOD DAY!
2006-10-13 17:18:23 · answer #5 · answered by youdontneedtoknowme 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It`s easier.The ashtrays in cars are not as big or accessible as they used to be.
2006-10-13 17:29:25 · answer #6 · answered by Rich B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
So we don't back into you trying to put it out in the ashtray, lol
2006-10-13 17:17:21 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It takes 100 years for an aluminum can, yet we just bury them in the ground at a landfill.....why don't you call up your local garbage company and harass them?
2006-10-13 17:19:06 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
i just hate it when it hits me in the face. that burns man.
2006-10-13 17:17:02 · answer #9 · answered by sami 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I GUESS IT'S B/C THEY DON'T HAVE AN ASHTRAY IN THEIR CAR.
2006-10-13 17:17:18 · answer #10 · answered by tinkerbell 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋