Litter butts.

NothingMan

I have always noticed it, but it has recently being really annoying me.

When I was a kid people thought nothing of throwing a sweet wrapper, empty cigarette packet or general packaging on the ground once they were finished with the contents. However in more recent years I notice this a lot less. There is still litter but a lot less (at least around Tallaght). This may have something to do with more bins or street sweepers but I think a general change of attitude towards littering is also to be praised.

There is an exception to this however. People who wouldn't dream of throwing an empty crisp packet on the ground will happily throw their cigarette butt away with a casual flick and think nothing of it.

I have seen this from people who I know to be borderline hippies and tree huggers, from people standing no more than 2 feet from a bin with an ash tray on top and from my own friends.
What is it about cigarette butts that make them exempt from litter morals? They certainly aren't good for the environment and far from a pretty sight.

Any smokers out there that would admit to being guilty of this? Is there a reason why or just force of habit?



tl;dr: Cigarette butt litter, why?

Sykk

Because all smokers, are jokers.

MaybeLogic

I'm guilty of it.
If there is a bin in sight, I'll nick it and bin it.
If not, I'm not carrying a cigarette butt around in my pocket until I do find a bin.
I'm a bad man, I know.

milkycoffey

Ya it wrecks my head. I can't understand how they can't see the difference.
I know one woman who was pulled over by the gardai for throwing her cigarette butt out of the car while driving. She got fined too!
I was delighted!

AnonoBoy

A few mornings back I saw a middle aged woman take a flyer from a girl on the street, take two steps and let it drop on the ground without even looking at it. The girl handing out the flyers went over and picked it up and shouted "thanks" after the woman.

Some people are just ignorant, inconsiderate arseholes.

Why not stub out your cigarette and stick it back in the pack until you find a bin? People don't seem to have a problem doing it with half-smoked cigarettes so why not finished ones?

ella_enchanted

I once worked in a cafe that had a bar beside it.
One of my duties was to go out and pick up the cigarette butts from the ground and bin them so the cafe looked nicer.
Resignation letter was handed in pretty quick after that.

I hate when people throw cigarette butts down.
Although can you really see people carrying them round til they find a bin?
And you cant really put it in your pocket.

AssaultedPeanut

It should be "if there IS a bin around".

That'd be my answer

Stephentlig

I dont do it, unless there is one bin specifically for them lets say outside a hospital.

Any other bin I dont do it with as I'm always afraid the bins gonna go on fire :D

Pax Christi
Stephen

NothingMan

dementedsoul wrote: »

It should be "if there IS a bin around".

That'd be my answer

Woops. And I was trying to be so careful with spelling.

Mods, could you adjust 3rd option to make more sense?

Sofiztikated

I've got the guilt.

I smoke, and I don't think twice about flicking butts.

I'm ashamed.

However, I do know that in Cavan town, there is a whole grand total of 1 litter bin. If I'm near a bin, I'll bin it. If not, well...

If there were more bins, I'd be a cleaner person. And not wracked with the guilt and nightmares.

Stephentlig

are you a smoker Nothing man?

NothingMan

Would you not put a butt back in the cigarette box until you find a bin? Or as I would do with chewing gum, wrap it in paper until you pass a bin?

Stephentlig

NothingMan wrote: »

Would you not put a butt back in the cigarette box until you find a bin? Or as I would do with chewing gum, wrap it in paper until you pass a bin?

No way, it smells out the box of ciggys when you do that and the rest of the ciggys themselves, and your whole coat pocket in which you carry the box.

NothingMan

Stephentlig wrote: »

are you a smoker Nothing man?

No. That's probably why it annoys me. I don't even like touching cigarettes. They gross me out a little. Hypocritically I do occassionally smoke stuff with friends, but I would never throw the butt on the ground but I would usually be in a house anyway.

Wazdakka

If there is a bin near me, yea.
I'll make sure that's it's properly stubbed out and drop it in.

But most of the time I flick them at stuff.

Stephentlig

NothingMan wrote: »

No. That's probably why it annoys me. I don't even like touching cigarettes. They gross me out a little. Hypocritically I do occassionally smoke stuff with friends, but I would never throw the butt on the ground but I would usually be in a house anyway.

well you see theres your problem, maybe you should start and it wont bother you so much :pac::P:D

dRNk SAnTA

Why do people think it's okay to throw them out of their car windows? Cars have an ashtray... and since they've been smoking in the car what difference does it make?

Stephentlig

dRNk SAnTA wrote: »

Why do people think it's okay to throw them out of their car windows? Cars have an ashtray... and since they've been smoking in the car what difference does it make?

its actually the smell of the ash that lingers in the tray that smells the car out most is the reason.

--Kaiser--

One of the only things that annoys me about smokers is the way they'll fling their butts absolutely anywhere without thinking

Stephentlig

--Kaiser-- wrote: »

One of the only things that annoys me about smokers is the way they'll fling their butts absolutely anywhere without thinking

I'm assuming you've got the burn marks to prove it then? :P:D

Not that I'm saying people purposely flick them at you.

bonerm

Forgive me if I sound like I'm generalising here but the answer is because smokers are cúnts.

CrazyRabbit

Well, if smokers were smart enough to be able to use bins, they wouldn't be smokers in the first place.

ScumLord

I smoke rollies, completely biodegradable plant matter. I usually stand on them and completely rip and destroy it too so you wouldn't even be able to make out what it was.

Sofiztikated

CrazyRabbit wrote: »

Well, if smokers were smart enough to be able to use bins, they wouldn't be smokers in the first place.

I don't see the link. Using bins = not smoking? Quick, someone tell Alan Carr, he can write a new book on it!

28064212

ScumLord wrote: »

I smoke rollies, completely biodegradable plant matter. I usually stand on them and completely rip and destroy it too so you wouldn't even be able to make out what it was.

What do you use as filters?

--LOS--

--Kaiser-- wrote: »

One of the only things that annoys me about smokers is the way they'll fling their butts absolutely anywhere without thinking

aye smokers, they're a loose bunch.........sorry


anyways I thought smokers were just kindly feeding the left-over-butt-collectors you see around town?

ScumLord

28064212 wrote: »

What do you use as filters?

The Rizzla packet usually.

Stephentlig

Stephentlig wrote: »

No way, it smells out the box of ciggys when you do that and the rest of the ciggys themselves, and your whole coat pocket in which you carry the box.

So you're worried that it'll make your cigarettes stink of cigarettes?

admiralofthefleet

i always do, i hate littering

WindSock

I am not a regular smoker anymore, but I will dispose of the butt when possible. Otherwise I will stub it out and stick it in my bag. It does make my bag stink though.
I wouldn't put a half smoked smoke back into the packet as it spoils the rest of the tobacco. If I have had a few jars I will likely throw the butt away if there is no bin. Or if I am feeling mischievous.

CrazyRabbit

Sofiztikated wrote: »

I don't see the link. Using bins = not smoking? Quick, someone tell Alan Carr, he can write a new book on it!

Anyone who deliberately inhales toxins into their lungs isn't too bright in my opinion, which may explain their inability to learn how to use bins.

--LOS--

CrazyRabbit wrote: »

Anyone who deliberately inhales toxins into their lungs isn't too bright in my opinion, which may explain their inability to learn how to use bins.

smoking is hardly a reflection on your intelligence :rolleyes:

Stephentlig

Deleted User wrote: »

So you're worried that it'll make your cigarettes stink of cigarettes?

the stale smell of a burnt ashy ciggerette is what smells the place out, which is why me mam always regularly emptys the ash tray and gives it a cleaning.

Rothmans

Stephentlig wrote: »

the stale smell of a burnt ashy ciggerette is what smells the place out, which is why me mam always regularly emptys the ash tray and gives it a cleaning.

Plus it makes the rest of the fags taste rotten if you put a butt or half smoked cig back in . . . or worse a cigar

CreepingDeath

Oh I despise smokers who throw their butts on the ground, especially just before they get on the bus even though the bin is 2 metres away but they don't want to loose their position in the queue.

This is one of my pet hates, the absolute ignorance of putting their convenience over a cleaner city/area for everyone.

Archeron

Rothmans wrote: »

Plus it makes the rest of the fags taste rotten if you put a butt or half smoked cig back in . . . or worse a cigar

I always nab cigars and put them back in the box, it doesnt bother me at all.

I always use a bin, or else put the butt in my pocket til I find one. I cant stand throwing them on the ground. I find those little mobile phone pockets in jeans good for hiding butts in. As soon as I get back to my car, I put it in the car ashtray and then shower myself in Febreze til the smellies go away.

bluto63

It does annoy me seeing people throwing their butts anywhere. If you're in a city, you're never far from a bin. You don't really have an excuse for throwing it on the ground

Stephentlig

CreepingDeath wrote: »

Oh I despise smokers who throw their butts on the ground, especially just before they get on the bus even though the bin is 2 metres away but they don't want to loose their position in the queue.

This is one of my pet hates, the absolute ignorance of putting their convenience over a cleaner city/area for everyone.

look if it wasnt for us, cleaners wouldnt have a job, dont make this recession worse than it already is :P

CreepingDeath

Stephentlig wrote: »

look if it wasnt for us, cleaners wouldnt have a job, dont make this recession worse than it already is :P

A job that the rest of us have to pay for.

With any luck they're increase the cost of cigs another few Euro in the budget at the end of the year.

Steodonn

IF there is a bin around or I know there is one coming up in about 5 mins I'll bin it ( witch turns out is most of the time ) otherwise flick

Leftyflip

What pisses me off is when people flick them and they're still burning... Atleast stub them out!!:mad:

Stephentlig

Stephentlig wrote: »

look if it wasnt for us, cleaners wouldnt have a job, dont make this recession worse than it already is :P

If it wasn't for all those thieves, murderers and rapists the guards would be out of a job.

I'm off to pillage this country out of the recession...

Tail Wagger

milkycoffey wrote: »

Ya it wrecks my head. I can't understand how they can't see the difference.
I know one woman who was pulled over by the gardai for throwing her cigarette butt out of the car while driving. She got fined too!
I was delighted!

I did that exactly years ago when I smoked, I was driving along and I threw a cigarette end out the car window. Just as I done it a motorcycle Garda was passing and the cigarette end landed in his lap. He stopped beside me as we slowed down and he had a bit of a laugh over it. Bet I wouldn't get away with it to day?.....So,,So,,sorry Garda.

CrazyRabbit

--LOS-- wrote: »

smoking is hardly a reflection on your intelligence :rolleyes:

I take it you are smoker. :P

--LOS--

CrazyRabbit wrote: »

I take it you are smoker. :P

Nope, I don't smoke cigarettes and if I do smoke anything at all tis only on occasion

but in my course in college, I was near the only one who didn't smoke and without sounding like too much of a prick I would call the people in my class far from stupid, I certainly wouldn't judge them for smoking.

jptk

CrazyRabbit wrote: »

I take it you are smoker. :P

I take it you are annoyingly pretentious

CrazyRabbit

jptk wrote: »

I take it you are annoyingly pretentious

Just poking a little fun at the smokers.

Evolute

If there is a bin nearby yes If not I will drop it on the ground and stamp it out.
Smoking rollies though they are biodegradable because there is no filter on them just a bit of cardboard.
While it is bad its still not as bad as the butts off a proper ciggarette

7ofBrian

I used to smoke. When i did, im ASHamed to admit that i did flick the butts away without consideration

BUTT as a biker it really pisses me off when someone flicks the fag end out their car window!!! I cant stress how dangerous this is people! All it takes is for that butt to go into a bikers face to cause them to crash and you have potentially STUBBED OUT someones life!!!

Please Think before you flick!!!:cool:

anniehoo

Always bin it and if theres no bin i put it in my box ...

I recycle as much as i can and i never litter. Its not that hard people!You're never that far from a bin.There is no excuse..."litter"ally!Sorry

up for anything

A smoking non-drinker like myself could ask why so many non- smoking drinkers up-end the alcohol sodden contents of their stomachs onto the street littering it in a not so pretty way. A cigarette butt is sweet compared to the mess of vomit which is usually considerately thrown up just outside some poor fecker's doorway.