Butt Out!

Not only do we know that smoking is harmful to human health and the surrounding atmosphere, but it is also detrimental to the environment and natural ecosystems. Each year, approximately 4.5 trillion cigarettes are disposed of. (Elizabeth Batt, http://bit.ly/dvWEIS) Just thinking of the negative impacts that these discarded cigarette butts have on our environment is disheartening. Not only are these butts harmful to land animals, such as raccoons, dogs, cats, and squirrels that may consume these discards, but also saltwater and freshwater animals, such as fish, whales, and seals. Cigarette butts that are not properly disposed of, such as those that are thrown on the ground rather than discarded in a garbage or holding can, are not only more easily accessible to wildlife consumption, but are also an aesthetic displeasure. These poisioning sticks not only affect animal lives, but also human lives, especially children's health. The over 4000 chemicals exhaled and released into the atmosphere from cigarettes are not only harmful to human health, but also the ecosystems and land we live on.
If you choose to smoke, please be respectful of those around you, and disgard your finished cigarette in a garbage can. They are much more harmful to the environment when left on the ground. They will not decompose, like many believe, as the cellulose acetate filters are not biodegradable. Please think of the animals and children that you may be impacting before you throw your next cigarette on the ground. (Jessica Taylor-Cassan, http://bit.ly/wmcTm)
There are a few spots around The Courthouse Square that are littered with cigarette butts. Throwing your finished cigarette butts in the garbage helps to minimize waste, decrease health and environmental risks and damage, and to keep our downtown as beautiful as possible. Please be respectful of others around you when disposing of your cigarette butts.
Thank you.