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Cigarette butts are the single greatest source of ocean trash

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41–50 of 236 posts

Re: Cigarette butts are the single greatest source of ocean trash

#41

This reads as a good news somehow, because it sounds like a solvable problem.

I quit years ago, so not sure but, don't vaporizers are much more convenient and less harming (avoiding tar)? Guess price is worse or I don't understand why they haven't wiped out cigarrettes.

Re: Cigarette butts are the single greatest source of ocean trash

#42
post #37

But last week it was fishing gear. Although, it's bullshit that so many smokers think it's perfectly OK to throw their butts just about anywhere.

In the UK it can be met with a £80 fine but I've never heard of anyone (other than the sensationalist news articles in the likes of The Sun) ever getting hit with it. I guess it's not worth the red tape for police to hand out fines.

I have been hit with it in London... so it definitely exists.

Makes friday drinks (and being stupid and inconsiderate) way more expensive (it was £85).

I always thought cigarette butts were something that are harmless and break down easily.

Re: Cigarette butts are the single greatest source of ocean trash

#43
post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> are there any smokers on HN who can explain the phenomenon? Smokers aren't exactly known for their good judgement, manners and consideration for others in the first place, are they?

Smoking is addiction that is demonstrably bad for your health and has no benefits. I grew up in an environment where smoking was encouraged and I can understand a person that conforms to their buddies. I have personally never tasted it but when I was teen virtually everybody smoked and it took a lot of willpower to withstand the pressure. I think these days, in western world, except for schools, low income neighborho…

there are tons of benefits which is why people do it

Re: Cigarette butts are the single greatest source of ocean trash

#44
post #37

But last week it was fishing gear. Although, it's bullshit that so many smokers think it's perfectly OK to throw their butts just about anywhere.

In the UK it can be met with a £80 fine but I've never heard of anyone (other than the sensationalist news articles in the likes of The Sun) ever getting hit with it. I guess it's not worth the red tape for police to hand out fines.

I know people who were hit with it, and I don't feel sorry for them at all.

Re: Cigarette butts are the single greatest source of ocean trash

#45

Only tangentially related, but I am continually astonished by the absence of any sort of social norms surrounding cigarette butt disposal. I have (otherwise environmentally conscious!) friends who smoke, and I've personally witnessed them flick their cigarettes into gutters and on streets. As a serious question, without judgment: are there any smokers on HN who can explain the phenomenon?

When I used to smoke I did not litter butts when I could avoid it, but they are so disgusting (they stink, they make your fingers stink, if you wrap it in some paper or plastic and put it in your pocket your pants will stink) that you just want to get rid of it. Most things are easier to get rid of because you can put them in a bag or something until you come across a trash can.

Re: Cigarette butts are the single greatest source of ocean trash

#46
post #43
post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Smoking is addiction that is demonstrably bad for your health and has no benefits. I grew up in an environment where smoking was encouraged and I can understand a person that conforms to their buddies. I have personally never tasted it but when I was teen virtually everybody smoked and it took a lot of willpower to withstand the pressure. I think these days, in western world, except for schools, low income neighborho…

there are tons of benefits which is why people do it

Such as?

Re: Cigarette butts are the single greatest source of ocean trash

#47
post #37

But last week it was fishing gear. Although, it's bullshit that so many smokers think it's perfectly OK to throw their butts just about anywhere.

In the UK it can be met with a £80 fine but I've never heard of anyone (other than the sensationalist news articles in the likes of The Sun) ever getting hit with it. I guess it's not worth the red tape for police to hand out fines.

> I guess it's not worth the red tape for police to hand out fines.

It's not normally police who issue the penalty notice, but local council staff. This means there's a lot of variation across the country. Some councils outsource this to companies who are a bit too vigorous in giving penalty notices. The aim is to prevent litter, not to raise revenue, so they're supposed to give you a chance to pick up your litter to avoid the fine but some don't do that.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/fixed-penalty-notices-issuing-an...

The advice about when to, and when not to, issue FPNs covers the point about giving people the opportunity to pick up litter: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/enforcement-officers-issuing-fix...

Re: Cigarette butts are the single greatest source of ocean trash

#49
post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> inconsiderate: thoughtlessly causing hurt or inconvenience to others. Smokers are inconsiderate because they thoughtlessly cause harm or inconvenience to others by smelling offensive. They brush off the objections of all non-smokers and tell the rest of the world to fuck off because they selfishly prefer smoking to not causing olfactory offense.

I assure you that not all non-smokers find the mere smell of a smoker’s clothes as offensive as you apparently do. There are lots of smells that I don’t like, particularly the smells of certain foods. I don’t call people who cook or eat those foods inconsiderate.

The stench of a smoker is widely considered offensive. This is not some weird personal quirk on my part, and I'm certain you know that.

Re: Cigarette butts are the single greatest source of ocean trash

#50

Only tangentially related, but I am continually astonished by the absence of any sort of social norms surrounding cigarette butt disposal. I have (otherwise environmentally conscious!) friends who smoke, and I've personally witnessed them flick their cigarettes into gutters and on streets. As a serious question, without judgment: are there any smokers on HN who can explain the phenomenon?

Yes, diacarding butts by stamping on them was the social norm way before environmentalism was a thing (like 1900s), and such it has its own cultural inertia passed down between smoking generations. Stamping on them was considered best practice to prevent fire i think.

I stopped doing it though 2010ish once i realized they don't break down (now i dont smoke).

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