A question for smokers

[Backdrifter]

Be honest: do you throw your used fag-ends on the ground? And if so, why?

I've given up commenting on this to those who do it. I'm always polite but get mostly ignored or sworn at. I'm sure most of these people wouldn't throw a used tissue on the ground, but seem to regard a fag-end as somehow not counting as litter.

I've seen people do it right near bins too. I had an argument with some colleagues once, who defended doing this. They said, you can't throw it in a bin as it might catch fire. So I suggested stubbing the cigarette out first. On what? they asked. The side of the bin, maybe? But that would singe the bin!

It's so widespread now I don't suppose it's ever going to make a difference anyway - pavements and gutters are peppered with fag-ends. But I wondered if anyone here who does it might like to explain why they think it's okay.

[Myriad2112]

I always aim for a drain or at least a gutter

[mike11111]

"Where I live they outnumber all other forms of litter by at least an order of magnitude." Can you explain what that means? By the way, see my previous post. No filter tips, no lingering butts. Long live Woodbines!

[craft1948]

I find the post by Geezer absolutely appalling..........

[Answerprancer]

I'm not a regular smoker but I do have the odd rollie. I throw rollie butts in the gutter sometimes because I believe thay are biodegradable (just paper and tobacco).
I think however that it is bang out of order to throw normal cigarette butts on the ground, the filter is made of fibrous plastic and does not bio degrade (to my knowledge) and they end up everywhere.

[Mick-Talbot]

I'm anti smoking .....but, R1 you have once again proved you are a class1 ****

[joggerjayne]

I think the worst litter is chewing gum.

The pavements are covered with white blotches (which don't wash off!).

[Backdrifter]

Thanks to the couple of smokers who have explained how they discard butts on the street. The reason I drew a parallel with e.g. a used tissue is, surely you wouldn't do the same thing with those? Just because it's aimed at a drain or the gutter, you wouldn't throw a different kind of litter there, would you?

Also, the biodegradable argument: many things are biodegradable but few things degrade very quickly. I'd still throw orange peel or an apple core in a bin instead of letting it deface the environment.

[mickrog]

people spitting on the streets needs your attention more,,,,,,,

[beso]

Myriad. Drains and gutters lead to ultimately to the ocean.

Your careless attitude is typical of the problem.

[Myriad2112]

I agree JoggerJayne, chewing gum is far worse than fag ends

[joggerjayne]

Oh ... gross, gross, grossity gross ...

People who spit on the streets ("day trippers" usually) should be locked up in some big room with all the other public spitters.

[R1Geezer]

yes gum chewing scum create disgusting litter but at least you can't be effected by passive gum chewing can you! JJ you miss the point, we all know that passive smoking is a minor effect compared to other things, the point is that the disgusting smell is inescapable, smoking and smokers reek, their smoke is unpleasant, why should I breath it in? why should I have my clothes contaminated? If I fart in the pub It creates a temporary smell and some may moan, fair enough but all smokers reek to High heaven 24x7 and seem not to care, if they trod in dogs mess they'd clean it off and get rid of the smell, why then are smokers content to stink all the time? Can someone explain?

[mickrog]

thats how we get smoked fish

[mike11111]

Thanks AP, for backing me up re biodegradability. However, this thread is not really about smoking and the detritus they leave behind them (which is much to be deplored). It is more about the right of certain people to arrogate to themselves the prerogative of custodians of the law, enabling them to chastise otherwise decent law-abiding citizens without going through the proper authorities. Norris Cole, anyone?

[Backdrifter]

Yes, it should have been a general litter thread. I doubt I'd get accusations of "you're just anti-people who east crisps!"

I don't think the intention behind spitting gum on the street is any worse than the butts, but the after-effects probably are.

But with ANY litter, it's that attitude: "I'm finished with this, it's not my problem any more, someone esle can deal with it."

[beso]

If you didn't drink and walked past someone in the street would was drinking beer would you think it reasonable that you were forced to take a sip?

That is exactly equivalent to what smokers think is a perfectly reasonable consequence of their addiction.

[Myriad2112]

Nearly everyone I know, smokers or not, say that pubs and clubs are really boring since the ban. Even Rupert Everett (a non smoker) says he wont go out in London anymore as all the places now smell of farts and body odour.

[R1Geezer]

must try that beso, on a smoker! hold their nose and pour half a pint of nelson Mandella down their gregory! How's that for passive drinking.