# Yes, cigarette butts are litter. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 21, 2001, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-cigarette-butts-are-litter/83058 "2001-09-21T18:20:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![FalconFinder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@FalconFinder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FalconFinder)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2001, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-cigarette-butts-are-litter/83058/21 "2001-09-22T02:19:50Z")
I too, find this behavior reprehensible. Use your fucking ashtray!! I always have an irrational fear when I see a lit cigarette butt sparking and bouncing along the highway – that it’s going to end up igniting gas fumes and blow someone up. Am I the only one who notices that it’s rare that a smoker’s ashtray ever has ash or butts in it? ---
**Author:** ![hansel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6bbea6/32.png) [@hansel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hansel)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2001, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-cigarette-butts-are-litter/83058/22 "2001-09-22T02:31:41Z")
If we don’t throw the butts out the window, then there won’t be any wild cigarette trees. Duh! Don’t you get ecology? ---
**Author:** ![Maryellen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b2d939/32.png) [@Maryellen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maryellen)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2001, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-cigarette-butts-are-litter/83058/23 "2001-09-22T02:45:23Z")
Years ago, when I was an idiot, I didn’t always use the car ashtray. However this changed one day when I was in the passenger seat of a car stopped at a red light. I tossed my butt out the window. A police car happened to be pulling up alongside us, and the cop got out of his car, walked up to my window (scared the liver out of me) and told me to go pick up the butt. I had to get out of the car (in front of everyone else waiting at the light), search around and find the thing (it had gone partway under the car) and bring it back into the car. Never did that again. ---
**Author:** ![apotheosis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ba8739/32.png) [@apotheosis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/apotheosis)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2001, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-cigarette-butts-are-litter/83058/24 "2001-09-22T03:04:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by hansel \* > \*\*If we don’t throw the butts out the window, then there won’t be any wild cigarette trees. Duh! Don’t you get ecology? \*\* No doubt. Apparently, these city assholes think the Cigarette Fairy makes 'em magically appear in the corner store. They don’t seem to grasp the idea of recycling, and returning something to nature. Attention heartless jerks: HUNDREDS of acres of Cigarette Trees (_marlboreal tumerosii_) are brutally slashed from the heart of the Amazon basin EACH and EVERY DAY. It is the **responsibility** of the smoker to seed future generations of these noble woodland giants. And not merely to satiate the needs of smokers, either: [ul] [li] Point: Cigarette Tree forests are the sole habitat of the endangered Spotted-Lung Owl. This diminuitive fowl, immediately recognizable by its hacking mating call, plays an important role in basin ecology by providing a meal to every predator it can’t outrun. (Which is to say, pretty much all of 'em.)[/li] [li] Point: Cigarette Tree forests are responsible for converting huge amounts of highly-flammable oxygen into inert carbon monoxide – not to mention providing film noir taverns with tangible atmosphere.[/li] [li] Point: The economy and traditions of the indigenous tribes rely heavily on these forests. Ah, for the simple beauty of the Cigarette harvest! Nimble fingers gathering twenty ripe, filter-tipped fruits at a time with deft, well-practiced motions; children laughing gaily as they haul their bounty to market; men singing as they sow thousands of butts in joyful communion with nature! By throwing butts out the window, smokers acknowlege the tireless efforts of these simple folk and, indeed, pay homage to their culture.[/li][/ul] So the next time you see a smoker throw a butt out the car window, don’t chide or lecture him; instead, **thank** him for his devotion to the planet we all inhabit, and give him a great big hug. ---
**Author:** ![abuse\_angel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d07c76/32.png) [@abuse\_angel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/abuse_angel)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2001, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-cigarette-butts-are-litter/83058/25 "2001-09-22T04:19:49Z")
but if we don’t litter, the people who clean up that stuff will be out of a job. throwing trash on the ground (cigarette butts included) is good for the economy and creates jobs!!! (my friends seriously believe this. it’s also why they don’t clear their trash from the table at mcdonald’s and throw drink cups and candy wrappers on the floor in movie theatres. fuckwads.) ---
**Author:** ![red\_dragon60](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ce73a5/32.png) [@red\_dragon60](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/red_dragon60)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2001, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-cigarette-butts-are-litter/83058/26 "2001-09-22T05:14:09Z")
Just grab a full ashtray from a bar, empty it into a plasic bag, and when someone does that, dump the contents of said bag in car. ---
**Author:** ![Dijon\_Warlock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a9a28c/32.png) [@Dijon\_Warlock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dijon_Warlock)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2001, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-cigarette-butts-are-litter/83058/27 "2001-09-22T07:13:29Z")
My brother’s a buttflicker. His explanation for not using the ashtray? It stinks up the car. Coming from someone who inhales the shit on purpose, this strikes me as shaky reasoning. ---
**Author:** ![yojimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yojimbo/32/232_2.png) [@yojimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yojimbo)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2001, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-cigarette-butts-are-litter/83058/28 "2001-09-22T11:21:27Z")
Littering is bad, m’kay Butts are litter, m’kay Calling people on littering is good, m’kay People who just have a general problem with smokers can FUCK OFF. ---
**Author:** ![ENugent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/4af34b/32.png) [@ENugent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ENugent)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2001, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-cigarette-butts-are-litter/83058/29 "2001-09-22T16:21:42Z")
I agree that tossing a lit butt in someone’s lap is a little too dangerous. But I would have no problem with tossing it in the empty passenger seat and causing him to scramble to save his upholstery, or with tossing it on the hood where it can mar his paint job while he tries to get out of the car. ---
**Author:** ![Rock\_Lobster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4491bb/32.png) [@Rock\_Lobster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rock_Lobster)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2001, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-cigarette-butts-are-litter/83058/30 "2001-09-22T19:45:32Z")
Wanna solve the problem of fire on the end of a butt that COULD be thrown back in the car? Field strip it just after you pick it up and **before** you toss it in the lap. _Problem solved_ ---
**Author:** ![rsa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/839c29/32.png) [@rsa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rsa)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2001, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-cigarette-butts-are-litter/83058/31 "2001-09-22T20:45:38Z")
Wow, this “debate” is a bit one-sided for the pit. Let me say that I hate littering. Here in Texas, guys in pickups sometimes toss their trash in the bed of the truck and of course they usually miss so the person behind them has this bouncing beer can coming at their car. Idiots. Are cigarette butts litter? Well those people that _do_ use their ashtray and then dump the entire thing in a 7-11 parking lot are certainly litterers and assholes. But I’ve never quite understood the issue with a single butt. Assuming that the butt is not thrown out where it could blow back into a motorcyclists face or has any chance of causing a fire, I just don’t see it as a big deal. Those things are so small and degrade so quickly (assuming no plastic filter) that they are practically invisible. I **hate** seeing the roadside littered, but I rarely (if ever) notice a butt if I’m just cruising down the road. Granted there may be the occasional intersection where you might notice a few butts on occasion but those places are usually totally trashed anyway. I just don’t see individual butts as much to get worked up over. But then again, I wouldn’t think of throwing the smallest bit of paper out of my car, so maybe I’m just rationalizing. _slinks away in shame_ ---
**Author:** ![abuse\_angel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d07c76/32.png) [@abuse\_angel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/abuse_angel)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2001, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-cigarette-butts-are-litter/83058/32 "2001-09-22T22:36:26Z")
rsa, try walking down westheimer in houston. you will notice every single solitary butt that was thrown out of a car window or tossed by some thoughtless pedestrian. they’re _everywhere_. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2001, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-cigarette-butts-are-litter/83058/33 "2001-09-23T01:34:12Z")
That was some real funny shit there, **apotheosis**. “Spotted-lung owl.” Priceless. Oh, and as for my position on the OP: [Frankenstein]Litter **BAD!** [/Frankenstein]. ---
**Author:** ![apotheosis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ba8739/32.png) [@apotheosis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/apotheosis)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2001, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-cigarette-butts-are-litter/83058/34 "2001-09-23T01:41:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Miller \* > \*\*Oh, and as for my position on the OP: > > [Frankenstein]Litter **BAD!** [/Frankenstein]. \*\* Don’tcha mean “[James Hetfield][Litter **BAD!**](http://www.joecartoon.com/buddies/chaos/index.html)[/James Hetfield]”? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Ruby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/13edae/32.png) [@Ruby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruby)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2001, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-cigarette-butts-are-litter/83058/35 "2001-09-23T03:34:39Z")
I don’t normally play in the Pit but I have to put my $.02 in on this one. Anyone who doesn’t think “just one little butt can’t hurt anything” doesn’t have the concept of the Big Picture. My husband and I used to own a gas/service station on a high-traffic corner. Take the opinion of **rsa** and multiply it by 10’s of thousands of people every day and you have one big mess. And of course you don’t see the butts at cruising speed. Just _walk_ that same route just once and you will be amazed at the crud and debris left by our fellow citizens. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2001, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-cigarette-butts-are-litter/83058/36 "2001-09-23T03:56:11Z")
Hey, **apotheosis** , didja know that Kenner made a [Lars Ulrich action figure?](http://www.artoosnews.com/vintage/vinprune.shtml) ---
**Author:** ![apotheosis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ba8739/32.png) [@apotheosis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/apotheosis)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2001, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-cigarette-butts-are-litter/83058/37 "2001-09-23T04:22:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Miller \* > \*\*Hey, **apotheosis** , didja know that Kenner made a [Lars Ulrich action figure?](http://www.artoosnews.com/vintage/vinprune.shtml) \*\* The likeness is just goddamned **uncanny**. They forgot the kneepads, though…and it looks a bit taller than the real Lars… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![RazzBaronZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@RazzBaronZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RazzBaronZ)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2001, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-cigarette-butts-are-litter/83058/38 "2001-09-23T06:51:15Z")
I remember when I was 9 or so, this lady just walked past me holding her hand out with a cigarette. Bitch scalded the whole back of my hand so I had a big line. How friggin’ inconsiderate do you have to be? If I was holding something that was on fire I’d at least try not to burn children. What if it was my eye or face? Also, last year I was walking from the subway (NYC) and this couple was walking and the man was smoking. This little girl (9 or so) was behind them and the smoke was blowing right in her face. She coughs and then walks faster to get away from the smoke. I am behind and to the left of the couple and I hear them say “that was hilarious…You light up your cigarette too and let’s get in front of her again and blow smoke in her face. I hate when people act all snobby like her”. What assholes. I really, really hate smokers from that point on. P.S. (one more little story). I went upstate and was hanging out last year. This girl had her little brother (13 or so) and she was smoking a lot. She goes “c’mon try it” and he says “no I don’t wanna”…with a bit of persistence and namecalling from her and when another person in the group I was with told him to try, he did. I was disgusted and wanted to smack the kid. How weak do you have to be? I really thought that only happened in afterschool specials or something until that day. What is wrong with people? ---
**Author:** ![Alphagene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Alphagene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alphagene)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2001, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-cigarette-butts-are-litter/83058/39 "2001-09-23T06:59:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by gatopescado \* > **heres one for ya: was riding my motorcycle one day** You bastard. You are using up countless gallons of a limited natural resource that is obtained through the violation of Mother Nature. Not to metion you are lining the pockets of Big Oil executives while ensuring that the Wetsern world will be relying on the autocratic regimes of the Middle East for years to come. Also, as a result of driving your exhaust-spitting vehicle, you are adding hundreds of thousands of cubic meters of various harmful toxins into the air. Much more than an army of smokers would. If you motorcycle drivers weren’t such a reliable source of donor organs, I’d be tempted to crack a window in your house and pump in carbon monoxide. Just to throw your own trash back at you, you understand. ---
**Author:** ![apotheosis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ba8739/32.png) [@apotheosis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/apotheosis)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2001, 9:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-cigarette-butts-are-litter/83058/40 "2001-09-23T09:18:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Alphagene \* > **Just to throw your own trash back at you, you understand.** So what’s your preference, Alpha…lights, reds, or menthols? 😃 [apotheosis closes the blast doors & lights a Marlboro] [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-cigarette-butts-are-litter/83058.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-cigarette-butts-are-litter/83058.md?page=3)