General Discussion

matt819

(10,749 posts)

98. How about the "it's disgusting" reason

Reply to The Straight Story (Original post)

Mon Jul 22, 2013, 11:01 PM

Jul 2013

I grew up near the beach something along the lines of a gazillion years ago (I believe I saw some dinosaurs). At the time, my mother smoked, and she'd put out her cigarettes in the sand, as would, oh, thousands of other smokers. Frankly, I've never been drawn in by the allure of a sandy beach, but I can tell you that the cigarette butts certainly did not enhance the experience. Maybe there are profound issues at play, a la stigmatization of smoking and smokers. Maybe not. But don't discount the disgusting factor.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

194 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

The Real Motivation Behind Park And Beach Smoking Bans [View all] The Straight Story Jul 2013 OP

Banned because, among other things, the smell stinks HERVEPA Jul 2013 #1

it is my understanding Trajan Jul 2013 #15

Is this how you win over Shankapotomus Jul 2013 #127

It is how I might dismiss ridiculous arguments Trajan Jul 2013 #148

people's sweaty bodies stink too, & their nasty suntan lotions. also their nasty car exhaust, HiPointDem Jul 2013 #77

Show me someone customerserviceguy Jul 2013 #126

you didn't say anything about cancer, you said it stinks. HiPointDem Jul 2013 #134

I didn't say anything about stinking customerserviceguy Jul 2013 #183

Not in MY house! Thegonagle Jul 2013 #181

You don't have to worry about me smoking on your beach. notadmblnd Jul 2013 #133

Many smokers still just throw butts on the ground. Idiots. n-t Logical Jul 2013 #2

Yes. It's thoughtless, inconsiderate, and disgusting. This alone is enough reason to ban Zorra Jul 2013 #3

Along with chewing gum jberryhill Jul 2013 #52

And dog shit mindwalker_i Jul 2013 #76

dog shit is huge. HiPointDem Jul 2013 #78

That depends on the size of the dog DJ13 Jul 2013 #82

true, & unfortunately, this belongs to the neighbor... HiPointDem Jul 2013 #86

Holy Sh*T DJ13 Jul 2013 #106

that's nothing. the other neighbor has this one: HiPointDem Jul 2013 #113

I live in the country. I never see chewing gum, and rarely see dog shit, on the roadside Zorra Jul 2013 #116

yep elehhhhna Jul 2013 #6

That pisses me off Silent3 Jul 2013 #16

So true. People still throw them out the window. n-t Logical Jul 2013 #18

I hate them for that Kolesar Jul 2013 #83

Side effect of nicotine Mopar151 Jul 2013 #153

This. I'm an ex-smoker and I don't have a problem with the smoke LadyHawkAZ Jul 2013 #63

Great point. I know most smokers do this. Just a few are rude! n-t Logical Jul 2013 #65

That's the reason that people ban smoking from beaches and parks. yardwork Jul 2013 #102

When my neighbor comes over here, he does the same thing. B Calm Jul 2013 #129

The world is their ashtray corkhead Jul 2013 #177

There are all manner of activities we ban in public settings for mainly aesthetic reasons. surrealAmerican Jul 2013 #4

It stinks and they don't clean up after themselves. Iggo Jul 2013 #5

why focus on smokers? some smokers don't, just like some people generally. HiPointDem Jul 2013 #87

Because it stinks and they don't clean up after themselves. Iggo Jul 2013 #90

well, i do. and i'm certain i'm not the only one. plus i run a mile rather than smoke near people HiPointDem Jul 2013 #92

I bet if most beach smokers were like you, there wouldn't be a problem. Iggo Jul 2013 #93

i bet not. if it's visible, someone will take offense. my friend tested that theory with one HiPointDem Jul 2013 #94

LOL, the trick there is to get a vaping thing Mariana Jul 2013 #167

The resulting refuse does harm wildlife, and that is more than sufficient to ban it. nt bemildred Jul 2013 #7

except we don't ban all the plastic trash people leave laying about in public, especially at the HiPointDem Jul 2013 #81

Actually, we do that, we do it lots. bemildred Jul 2013 #125

we ban plastic products? then why do i see so many lying about? we have laws about litter, HiPointDem Jul 2013 #137

No we ban litter, like cigarette butts. bemildred Jul 2013 #138

we ban the act of littering. it doesn't matter what the litter is. no one likes to sit in litter HiPointDem Jul 2013 #141

Right, and smoking is banned because smokers litter the butts about. bemildred Jul 2013 #143

smoking isn't banned in parks and beaches, so i'm not sure what you're talking about. HiPointDem Jul 2013 #144

It is here (CA). bemildred Jul 2013 #147

if california wanted to stop *litter* they'd pass a law making butts more biodegradable (which HiPointDem Jul 2013 #157

Yes, they should, no non-biodegradable plastic for mass production products. bemildred Jul 2013 #158

And? Safetykitten Jul 2013 #8

From the article: The Straight Story Jul 2013 #11

I am sick of looking at drifts of heater butts in public places. Sue me. Safetykitten Jul 2013 #13

drifts? HiPointDem Jul 2013 #88

Do you have a link to the quote from the former editor of Tobacco Control? pnwmom Jul 2013 #39

And what tobacco company paid for this laughable study?? dbackjon Jul 2013 #59

lol Cha Jul 2013 #128

Even if it didn't cause cancer, it smells disgusting. That's the only justification needed. Nye Bevan Jul 2013 #9

I'll try not to fart Half-Century Man Jul 2013 #85

Smokers: want these bans repealed? Two things: Aristus Jul 2013 #10

+1. Smoke all you want, but clean up and don't annoy other people. nt bemildred Jul 2013 #12

I quit 10 years ago and vowed I'd never go all nanny state on those who continue to smoke. Gidney N Cloyd Jul 2013 #14

Agreed. It's a "morals" thing for many people. Especially x-smokers. OregonBlue Jul 2013 #20

Ex-smokers are the worst offenders meow2u3 Jul 2013 #34

There's a lot of truth to that, which is why I promised myself when I quit to not be 'that guy.' Gidney N Cloyd Jul 2013 #35

It's a matter of self defense. You have to turn against it with all your might to quit. L0oniX Jul 2013 #38

I'm talking about people I had known meow2u3 Jul 2013 #44

That's a huge AMEN right there, my friend! Bake Jul 2013 #75

And a "rationalization" thing for us smokers.... doing our best to justify the absurd. LanternWaste Jul 2013 #48

i don't think so, actually. i think most smokers would agree that it's an unhealthy and somewhat HiPointDem Jul 2013 #91

"Nanny state," is a way of belittiling those who complain while dodging the issue. Deep13 Jul 2013 #31

^^^The core element of any prohibition is stimatization Eleanors38 Jul 2013 #154

Well, let's see... bobclark86 Jul 2013 #17

Actually, they save the taxpayer money due to their early death joeglow3 Jul 2013 #26

I know there are studies that supposedly show that, SheilaT Jul 2013 #32

Most people incur a lot of medical costs at the end joeglow3 Jul 2013 #37

Smokers are helping nonsmokers cut costs ...uhm ok L0oniX Jul 2013 #43

How about all the ones who wind up SheilaT Jul 2013 #62

So should we also ban McDonalds on beaches, and other things that are unhealthy? Travis_0004 Jul 2013 #80

actually, sometimes they do. here are my dead relatives. HiPointDem Jul 2013 #96

You rationalize. The facts contradict you, but you probably knew this. kwassa Jul 2013 #101

someone just gave you some facts; smokers die, on average, earlier. you rationalized them away. HiPointDem Jul 2013 #103

the problem is, we non-smokers have to pay for the bad choices of smokers kwassa Jul 2013 #178

you don't seem to have followed the conversation. no, actually, you don't. smokers are paying, HiPointDem Jul 2013 #182

oh, what horseshit. kwassa Jul 2013 #184

smokers pay EVERYTHING non-smokers pay, PLUS $33 BILLION a year in extra taxes, PLUS HiPointDem Jul 2013 #185

Let me reframe: You are against Medicare because dying saves taxpayer money. L0oniX Jul 2013 #42

I think one may be concerned with cost yet still hold human life to a higher priority LanternWaste Jul 2013 #49

Yeah, and back in the '60s... bobclark86 Jul 2013 #64

And you've just added more bullshit to the pile. Obese people cost less for the eridani Jul 2013 #121

If guns killed that many people every year ...uhm ...you know. n/t L0oniX Jul 2013 #46

Why do countries with a larger population of smokers (by ratio) have lower lung cancer rates? Half-Century Man Jul 2013 #89

Who doesn't like to go to the beach or park and see cigarette butts everywhere? nt geek tragedy Jul 2013 #19

Pipe smoking us OK, then? nt Eleanors38 Jul 2013 #155

Corn cob only. nt geek tragedy Jul 2013 #160

Message auto-removed Name removed Jul 2013 #21

I smoked for thirty years... The Midway Rebel Jul 2013 #22

In all respectfulness, SheilaT Jul 2013 #33

Message auto-removed Name removed Jul 2013 #176

Some of us are allergic enough that smokers limit where we can go starroute Jul 2013 #23

Actually cologne does blow around like cigarette smoke. I'm very allergic to a lot of it. Gidney N Cloyd Jul 2013 #25

Colognes were one reason I quit accompanying my mother to snappyturtle Jul 2013 #56

I have terrible grass allergies joeglow3 Jul 2013 #28

Maybe, in any case, the city can. nt Deep13 Jul 2013 #30

I have few doubts you may even get one or two people to believe your allegation.... LanternWaste Jul 2013 #50

That dry cough you mention is probably a form of asthma, which often takes that form. pnwmom Jul 2013 #41

I have asthma and oddly enough cigarette smoke never triggers it. snappyturtle Jul 2013 #57

Yeah, everybody's different. I feel sorry for people who have trouble with perfumes. pnwmom Jul 2013 #70

Same here. Apophis Jul 2013 #104

There are no allergens in cigarette smoke. Eom TransitJohn Jul 2013 #186

You should consider wearing a mask. Gravitycollapse Jul 2013 #188

I work outdoors, surrounded by smokers and tobacco chewers. TwilightGardener Jul 2013 #24

Maybe it's to keep parks and especially beaches Warpy Jul 2013 #27

I don't want to breath tobacco smoke. I don't want butts on the beach. Deep13 Jul 2013 #29

Smoking bans have made many places roody Jul 2013 #36

Shortly after CA's smoke ban, I went to a pool hall when I was visiting there. Nye Bevan Jul 2013 #40

Whether inside or outside, a lungful of smoky air can be a trigger of asthma symptoms. pnwmom Jul 2013 #45

This is what many have suspected about smoking bans like those mentioned, for a long time. beevul Jul 2013 #47

I don't have a problem with ecigs at all eridani Jul 2013 #122

I can totally understand that. beevul Jul 2013 #165

I hate that smokers throw their butts on the ground upaloopa Jul 2013 #51

solution: replace tobacco with reefer Blue_Tires Jul 2013 #53

The smoke Nazis just want to ban it completely. MrSlayer Jul 2013 #54

You can smoke all you want dbackjon Jul 2013 #60

I don't smoke. MrSlayer Jul 2013 #68

You obviously don't have Asthma dbackjon Jul 2013 #71

Nonsense. MrSlayer Jul 2013 #73

i'd have more sympathy if smoking weren't already illegal in almost every indoor venue. HiPointDem Jul 2013 #100

I wonder how many states Go Vols Jul 2013 #118

28 states ban smoking in all public places, including bars. 6 additional states ban it in public, HiPointDem Jul 2013 #119

Puritans are against pleasure eridani Jul 2013 #123

One man's pain is another's pleasure. MrSlayer Jul 2013 #124

smoking doesn't equate to enjoying trashy beaches. it doesn't equate to being a litterbug HiPointDem Jul 2013 #135

I will welcome you to smoke around me Dreamer Tatum Jul 2013 #61

I don't smoke. MrSlayer Jul 2013 #66

Ooooooooh, tough guy. nt Dreamer Tatum Jul 2013 #67

You certainly aren't. MrSlayer Jul 2013 #69

So what is your stance on people who Shankapotomus Jul 2013 #150

I don't necessarily disagree with you. MrSlayer Jul 2013 #164

Concerning the outdoors Shankapotomus Jul 2013 #166

Under those circumstances I'd complain too. MrSlayer Jul 2013 #169

So Shankapotomus Jul 2013 #171

I might. MrSlayer Jul 2013 #174

pretty much. but they're cutting off their nose, because if that happens where will they HiPointDem Jul 2013 #99

To keep the dirty cigarette butts from being ubiquitous litter? 1monster Jul 2013 #55

As someone that is very sensitive to smoke dbackjon Jul 2013 #58

But a lot of smokers War Horse Jul 2013 #72

do you have the same trouble with campfires & weenie roasts? should those be banned too? HiPointDem Jul 2013 #97

I do - and I avoid those areas dbackjon Jul 2013 #162

Is it OK to smoke in your home with children present? Eleanors38 Jul 2013 #156

Would I allow my kids in a smokers home? Nope. dbackjon Jul 2013 #163

And if others do not choose your course, should there be legal sanction? Eleanors38 Jul 2013 #180

LIARS!The American Cancer Society and American Lung Assn have voiced support for such bans onenote Jul 2013 #74

If you can't drop your speedos and crap in the sand, you shouldn't smoke there. n/t Agnosticsherbet Jul 2013 #79

Ha ha. That is sad. I do NOT want smell that shit. Nor inhale it second hand. geckosfeet Jul 2013 #84

I'd think it was the cost of cleaning up butts on the ground that they would use. Even though brewens Jul 2013 #95

How about the "it's disgusting" reason matt819 Jul 2013 #98

Fuck smokers. They have no right to pollute the commons. kestrel91316 Jul 2013 #105

unlike car drivers, air travelers, electricity consumers, plastic consumers, coal consumers, HiPointDem Jul 2013 #107

Tobacco serves absolutely no useful purpose. It is the only product kestrel91316 Jul 2013 #108

it has as much useful purpose as many drugs. and it's a myth that it causes illness a/o death HiPointDem Jul 2013 #110

Use of tobacco is proven to increase some forms of measurable intelligence. Eom TransitJohn Jul 2013 #187

Litter: RedCappedBandit Jul 2013 #109

now do it by weight. then by area & volume. HiPointDem Jul 2013 #111

Seriously though, we should just ban plastic. RedCappedBandit Jul 2013 #112

i wouldn't mind. you could ban it for cigarette filters too, there are other alternatives. HiPointDem Jul 2013 #114

The soda ban in NYC is the silliest, imo. nt RedCappedBandit Jul 2013 #115

it's really dumb. i suspect it puts extra money in the sodamakers' pockets, myself. if you want HiPointDem Jul 2013 #117

Ooh ooh.. I know.. Control of others... Pelican Jul 2013 #120

Poor, poor smokers... SidDithers Jul 2013 #130

ROFL man oh man, once again the points fly over your head The Straight Story Jul 2013 #132

... SidDithers Jul 2013 #140

I have worked with an inconsiderate smoker Shankapotomus Jul 2013 #131

you were working in an enclosed space? the op is about parks and beaches. HiPointDem Jul 2013 #136

Nope Shankapotomus Jul 2013 #139

i doubt it. HiPointDem Jul 2013 #142

Then it was still enough to be too much. nt Shankapotomus Jul 2013 #145

Smoking is bad for you. Quantess Jul 2013 #146

OMG...is this still being discussed? People sticking cancer sticks in their mouth... Safetykitten Jul 2013 #149

I'm still good with that. Fuck the smoking weirdos. n/t Ian David Jul 2013 #151

First they came for the smokers. Then they came for the public masturbators... Ian David Jul 2013 #152

yes, smoking = masturbating = shitting. you it-getter, you. HiPointDem Jul 2013 #159

Smoker here. NCTraveler Jul 2013 #161

and people such as myself won't. i also see people who just throw pop cans and plastic bags on the HiPointDem Jul 2013 #191

Add e-cigarette bans to the list KamaAina Jul 2013 #168

I'm eager to see Marijuana legalized. MicaelS Jul 2013 #170

Some smoking and personal choices (like abortions) are holy and sacred The Straight Story Jul 2013 #172

There are always people who want to control others. MicaelS Jul 2013 #175

plenty of marijuana smokers are vehemently anti-tobacco. i've seen them here at du, complaining HiPointDem Jul 2013 #192

I believe you. MicaelS Jul 2013 #194

This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Jul 2013 #173

Ever step on a discarded, still-burning cigarette butt at the beach? djean111 Jul 2013 #179

The real motivation is this: its what the local constituents want. apnu Jul 2013 #189

OK - let's get this - WEED is illegal, but environmentally friendly. ConcernedCanuk Jul 2013 #190

pot isn't anymore environmentally friendly than tobacco. it depends on how it's grown. so HiPointDem Jul 2013 #193