Letter: Smokers should dispose of cigarette butts properly

Editor,

Regarding the current debate about regulating where smokers can smoke - I am a big fan of workplace smoking bans, but I support the right of smokers to smoke outdoors.

However, smokers would do themselves a big favor by ceasing to carelessly throw their cigarette butts on the ground. As a society, we've come to tolerate this when we shouldn't.

With what other habit would we allow this to happen? Would we tolerate beer and coffee drinkers throwing their cups and glasses on the ground when they have finished taking their drug of choice?

If smokers were more conscientious about what they do with the reminders of their bad habit, perhaps nonsmokers would be a bit more tolerant of them. As it is, anywhere outside there is likely a nasty little reminder of smoker trashiness on the ground nearby.

Clovis Thorn

UNM alumnus