After smoking?

Question

After smoking a cigarette, isn't it rude to throw the butt into the street? But then again, where else are you supposed to put it? You can't put it in a trash can, as it may burst into flames. It seems like littering is accepted for smokers only?
I know its definitely rude to throw it in the middle of the sidewalk, or in front of a residence or store. What do you think?

Answer 1

In many European cities the trash cans have a special thing for extinguishing and disposing of cigarettes, so this solves the problem "where should I put it". Moreover, in many european cities you could get a fine for throwing the cigarette on the street, although my experience says that this is difficult to implement.
On the other hand, I'd rather see a cigarette on the street than a can of cola and it is more important when people collect their cigarettes from the beach (because they end up in the sea and they do not dissolve) or from the countryside than from the anyway dirty street.
In any case, people who are environmental conscious do not litter, cigarettes included.

Answer 2

As a former smoker, if there wasn't an ashtray receptacle available, I would step on the cigarette to put it out and then put it in a trash can.

I do think it is rude to throw your butts. I have a friend who comes over and smokes outside and when she is gone, I am picking up cigarette butts in my yard and it makes me more appreciative of other peoples property, even city property.

Answer 3

Why not grind it out in the grass and then toss it into the trash can. If it is too much work to properly dispose of a butt, then maybe they should stop smoking. Most smokers will freak out if a neighbor throws beer cans, pop cans, or bottles into the street or onto the sidewalk but have no trouble throwing cigarettes (usually still burning) wherever they please. If smokers took more energy and time to be considerate, they wouldn't be facing ever-increasing legislation eliminating the ability to smoke.

Answer 4

I also smoke and am guilty of doing this on a daily basis. Although I don't consider myself to be a rude person for being a smoker, I do consider those who don't respect others property to be very rude. If you are a home or business owner who is continually having your property trashed by smokers, you may want to consider the following options:

1)Ask people not to smoke on your property. It is perfectly acceptable for you to say:
"As a non-smoker, I don't like it when people smoke on my property. Can you please not smoke here?"

2) Add an ashtray or two away from doorways. Putting ashtrays on your property is a good way to keep cigarette butts from ending up on the ground. You can add signs asking customers to "Please deposit your butt here!". It's also a play on words and shows you have a sense of humor.

3) Put up signs designating a smoking area.
Alot of places are doing this these days and it is perfectly acceptable.
A polite smoker would understand that non-smokers don't like having smoke going inside and stinking up the building or having smoke on their clothing. A polite smoker would be considerate of others feelings and not smoke anywhere but the designated area.

If you accept the fact that their are people who smoke and are not going to change simply because you don't like it, you will do much better.

Most people who smoke are not trying to offend you. You need to understand that they are hooked. It is very hard to kick the smoking habit.

Studies have shown that nicotine is MORE addictive than Heroine and is just as hard, if not harder to kick.

Addiction to cigarettes goes deeper than just being addicted to nicotine.

Most people who smoke also have an oral fixation. (Don't laugh or make some stupid joke!) This is a very real thing and a very high number of people in the world have it, whether they smoke or not.

Look around you very closely. You'll notice people who chew on things like pens and pencils, people who put their hair in their mouth (YUCK! disgusting habit!) and people who suck on lollipops all the time. They ALL have an oral fixation.

This is just as hard to kick for some people.

What bad habit do you have that you find hard to kick? Would you like it if someone continually pointed it out to you?

remember to be nice to people and they will be nice to you.
After all, isn't that the golden rule? Ok, close enough!

Answer 5

Of course it is rude and filthy not to mention dangerous! But there are solutions to the problem! A quick search on the net found this..
http://www.buttsout.net/buttsout

And there is a link to:
3 ways to get a free BUTTsOUT personal ashtray

So a smoker who doesn't also want to be a litterer has options.. they have no excuses for tossing their butts!

Answer 6

As same as u think. We smokers cannot throw into the trash can as u mentioned. We do not wanna litter the surrounding but there is no other go, can't give up smoking and can't find a good place to throw the buds.

Answer 7

I always butt my cigs out and hold it between my fingers to make sure it's out. If I can't find a trash can then I'll either put it in my pocket or back in the cig pack until I can throw it away. Just becuase I smoke doesn't mean I have to be inconsiderate or trashy.

Answer 8

Yes, it is rude. I make sure to squish the butt out with my shoe, and then toss it in the nearest trashcan. (Barely any public ashtrays anymore.) And yes, sometimes that means carrying it for a few blocks. But I hate the litter, so I won't do that.

Answer 9

Yes it is rude. However there is no alternative unless you put those butt cans everywhere. They should be subject to the same litter laws that everyone else is.

Answer 10

It's not only rude, but unlawful. And not too bright, it's called TRASH and LITTERING. No different than tossing a candy wrapper on the ground... it simply is not done. Carry a pocket ashtray, if you absolutely must smoke.