why is it that smokers figure that cigarette butts are somehow exempt from being counted as litter? we throw bits of plastic and paper and wrappers and general trash in trash bins…but cigarettes are tossed and flicked to the ground without a second thought.
think of the difference it would make environmentally and even visually if we could look to the ground and not see remains of old cigarettes wedged into the cracks in our sidewalks and curbs.
suggestion: next time you see someone flick away their old cigarette, say something. politely. it takes being brave enough to stop that person, but in the end you will have completely shocked him or her, people who may be around, and you’ll proabably be happy for yourself for going through with it. chances are, that person will be embarrassed and hopefully care to pick it up, passing people will think “hmmm…that was bold” and hopefully consider taking your stance in the future, or perhaps both will consider you a social nuisance and go on with their days dispensing trash where they please.
really, who knows. all you can do is try. chain reactions with positive effects are more common than we think.
