Anyone else noticing increaseingly Cigarette butts being thrown out of cars? (stations, gas)

[MNTroy]

I am not sure how you would quantify the statement that there has been an increasingly number of cig butts being thrown out the window. To me, it is all anecdotal evidence. If I were to guess, cigarette smoking is at an all time low, so there is probably less butts being thrown out the window today.

That being said, I blame the car companies that took out the ash trays that were so common in vehicles from years before. I remember growing up and see those ash trays in the family station wagon. My brother and sisters and I would stick our lollipop stick and other wrappers in those ash trays

[Hotfeet]

Originally Posted by MNTroy

My brother and sisters and I would stick our lollipop stick and other wrappers in those ash trays

That was where my non-smoking uncle used to store his new hard candy (individually-wrapped, of course) and I regret not exploring that secret compartment earlier when I was young.

[Atalanta]

Originally Posted by Rhody2Mn

I have noticed this disturbing trend. Unfortunately, there are people out there who have no respect for their environment and believe they are justified to treat the earth like it's their personal open ash tray.

Now that I think about it, the overall cleanliness level in MSP has deteriorated in recent years. Granted, the metro vicinity is still much cleaner than many other areas, but since I moved here over twenty years ago, I've noticed an increase in the amount of trash and litter on streetscapes and sidewalks in addition to the aforementioned cigarette butts.

I am noticing that too

[Atalanta]

Originally Posted by rzzzz

I have not noticed this.
Smoking is at an all time low so I doubt this is occurring more than in the past.

That could be, rzzzz.
Maybe it is just the route I travel to work?

[Atalanta]

Originally Posted by MidwestRedux

My guess would be that the practice of disposing butts out the window has become more common over the years as smoking has become less socially acceptable.



I see a lot of people smoking in their cars with the window all the way down even when its really cold outside. I can't help but think that they don't want people (spouse? kids? mother?) to know they're smoking in the car or anywhere. If they left the butts in the ashtray, that would leave some pretty damning evidence behind. Throwing it out the window destroys that evidence.

Good points

Originally Posted by Miss Bobbie

I smoke and NEVER throw butts out a window. I do stub out a cig in a parking lot or path, etc., but then the stub, when cold, goes into my pocket.

Originally Posted by Hotfeet

What irks me more is when I pull into a parking lot and see a pile of butts on the pavement - making it obvious that someone earlier just emptied their ashtray in the lot.

I know, I just shake my head at that!

[Atalanta]

Originally Posted by Atalanta

For the past week or so, every morning on my way to work I have seen Cig Butts get thrown out of windows.
It is still dark out, so I can see the red and orange when they are thrown out.

Has anyone else noticed an increase in people throwing them out their car window?

I have not seen that for years.
Now everyday.

Originally Posted by MNTroy

I am not sure how you would quantify the statement that there has been an increasingly number of cig butts being thrown out the window. To me, it is all anecdotal evidence. If I were to guess, cigarette smoking is at an all time low, so there is probably less butts being thrown out the window today.

To answer your remark, I underlined how I started out my post.


That being said, I blame the car companies that took out the ash trays that were so common in vehicles from years before. I remember growing up and see those ash trays in the family station wagon. My brother and sisters and I would stick our lollipop stick and other wrappers in those ash trays

That's a good point on taking ash trays out of new cars.
I wouldn't know that. I drive and older vehicle.
I myself would not give that an excuse for tossing a cig butt out the window.


I have seen ashrays being sold at the Dollar Stores.

[kbutler1]

I've always noticed it and it's gross. If you don't want it in your car what makes you think we want it in the street?!
It's lazy and disrespectful, beside the fact that it is littering.

I appreciate the folks that smoke and don't litter.

[wushuliu]

Originally Posted by Rhody2Mn

I have noticed this disturbing trend. Unfortunately, there are people out there who have no respect for their environment and believe they are justified to treat the earth like it's their personal open ash tray.

Now that I think about it, the overall cleanliness level in MSP has deteriorated in recent years. Granted, the metro vicinity is still much cleaner than many other areas, but since I moved here over twenty years ago, I've noticed an increase in the amount of trash and litter on streetscapes and sidewalks in addition to the aforementioned cigarette butts.

Going out on a limb but it *could* be you know, the accumulation of trash and litter and dirt and debris over those years. In a major metro. That is also experiencing population growth.

[rzzzz]

anyone who thinks the cleanliness level is down didn't go out very much in the 1980s or 1990s.

[Atalanta]

Originally Posted by rzzzz

anyone who thinks the cleanliness level is down didn't go out very much in the 1980s or 1990s.

ha, it was bad then, rzzz with an extra z

I do see a little more trash around lately though.
Guess it depends on where one is.