Dear Editor:
OK, so maybe it was a compulsive and foolish thing to do, but something inside me just snapped.As I was crossing the sidewalk on my way to Home Depot, a fellow sitting outside Starbucks flicked his cigarette butt onto the sidewalk.
I tried to ignore it, I really did. But my mind flashed back to butts in my children's beach buckets, butts in their playgrounds, butts on playing fields. I bent down, picked up the butt he had just tossed (yuck), flicked it back to him and continued on my way.
Once in Home Depot, I realized this guy had followed me. He came right up to my face, called me every foul name in the book and threatened to have his "girlfriend" beat me up (hello, security cameras). I admit to being somewhat intimidated by his tactics, but with his face six inches from mine I could well and truly tell him he stank.He left me alone then, but it did give me pause to think that I inadvertently put myself in harm's way.
For the rest of the afternoon I watched my back.Ironically, when I came home, there were five teenage boys all smoking on the deck. The first thing they said was, "Don't worry, mom, we have a butt jar!"
It amazes me that so many people think nothing about tossing their butts in the street. This begs the question: Who is responsible for cleaning this stuff up?There is a smoking regulation bylaw. It specifically states that smoking is not permitted within six metres (that's 20 feet!) of a "customer service area" (including sidewalks associated with businesses that provide drinks and food). The rule can be enforced by bylaw officers, police, fire, health officials, but they have more important stuff to do.The bylaw also states that any person who violates the bylaw, or a responsible person(manager of the business) who neglects to do anything about it is subject to a fine of up to $10,000.
Most smokers are respectful and considerate about where they smoke and how they "'butt out." These are not the people who smoke in bus shelters, doorways or at beaches. It is the arrogant, ignorant butt-flickers that set me off.To those I say get real and grow up - the world is not your ashtray!
Karen Graham
West Vancouver
