From: Cigarette Litter.org
It is estimated that several trillion cigarette butts are littered world-wide every year!  That's billions of cigarettes flicked, one at a time, on our sidewalks, beaches, parks, nature trails, gardens and other public places, etc.  In fact, cigarette butts are the most littered item in America and the world! 

I think smoking is one of the worst things a person can do for their health and for those around them...especially kids, etc.  Smokers annoy me, when they leave a trail of cigarette butts everywhere they go!  I guess they expect for somebody to pick up after them!  (See: Smoking Sucks: How I Quit Smoking)

"One thousand Americans quit smoking everyday...by dying!"  Unknown

From: Smoking Section.com;
Consederate smokers don't litter!  Those who deserve critism as much as any other litterers.

I thought every vehicle came equipped with ashtrays, but maybe I was wrong.  For years, I've seen inconsiderate smokers, just toss their cigarette butts out the window while driving.  I always get nervous, when somebody flicks a cigarette butt out of the car window, and when the wind blows it under my car, I fear that it is going to ignite something!  BANG! 

From: Longwood.edu;
95% of cigarette filters are made from cellulose acetate, a plastic slow to degrade.  Cellulose acetate fibres, are thinner than sewing thread, white, and packed tightly, to create a filter.

Just about every day, I see a smoker flicking a cigarette out on the school grounds; in the park; into the streets; out of a car window; out in the parking lot, etc.  Somebody has to clean the place, you know! 

"Character is the willingness to accept responsbility for one's own life."  Joan Dideon

 From: Charity Guide.org;
Cigarette butts that aren't properly extinguised can...and do...start fires!  The following cigarette tragedies could easily have been avoided;

-  In January 2004, a motorist driving along Interestate 8, in San Diego County, flicked a cigarette butt onto the center median, sparking a fire, that eventually burned more than 10,000 acres, destroyed 16 homes, and charred 64 vehicles!

-  In September 2002, a wildfire that scorched 274 acres on the Camp Pendleton, California base, was started by a cigarette butt tossed by a passing motorist.

-  In March 2004, cigarette butts tossed in a jammed trash chute, in Richmond Va., destroyed 26 buildings and caused $20 million in damage!

"If you must smoke...take your butt outside."  Unknown

Over the years, it's been a long battle between smokers vs. non-smokers in this country, and the non-smokers are finally winning out!  Smoking has been banned all across the country in states; cities; businesses and public places.  The non-smoking section just doesn't apply anymore.  We all know that 2nd. hand smoke is just as deadly as first-hand smoke!   (See: Sabrina: Another Smoking Casualty)

From: AZ Central.com;
A year's worth of litter...176 million pounds of cigarette butts are flicked here and there!  Add up all that litter that blighting our landscape, and cigarette butts are the number ONE offender!

I long time I was quite IGNORANT...and I smoked for about five years!  And, then something happened and I got showered with intellegence, and I got smart...and I quit smoking!  Today (2008), I look back at those days, and I can't believe I had such a nasty and dangerous habit!  That's what peer-pressure and stupidy will do for you!  I've known some people, who have struggled for a long time, to quit smoking...and they finally do quit...only to take up smoking a few years later, etc.  I think I've heard all the excuse-makers...you know...my dog ate my homework is a good excuse!  Just another broken-promise to themselves!

"Nicotine patches are great!  Stick one over each eye and then you can't find your cigarettes!"  Unknown

From: No Butts About It.net;
The Earth is NOT your ashtray!  We think that smokers should be responsible for their butts and throw them somewhere appropriate, instead of tossing them out the car window or on the ground, etc.

I think it was harder to quit smoking back in 1970, than it is today in 2008.  Back then, it was trendy and fashionable to smoke and destroy your life!  Cigarette ads were all over the place...on television; radio; billboards, etc., and temptation was everywhere!  Back then, we didn't have the patches and medications we have today to help a smoker quit!

My ex-wife smoked for the entire 19 years we were together.  (See; Have You Ever Kissed an Ashtray?)  There were about 4 or 5 reasons why we parted, and smoking was one of them!  If theres another woman that comes into my life in the future...and she smokes...she can just turn her little "butt" around and just keep on going! 

"The best way to stop smoking is just to stop...no ifs, ands, or butts!"  Edith Zittler

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