Quote:
Originally Posted by flip
There is no excuse. Not unlike speeding it is a choice. Everyone knows the consequences but they make a choice and do it anyways. Now throwing butts doesn't have the short term implications that speeding might have (ie death) but littering isn't good for the environment long term.
The only justification for throwing butts on the ground is if there is absolutely no other place to put it. Take Flames games. There isn't an ashtray anywhere at the Dome. But I think that the Flames don't seem to care. THey just get everyone to litter in the smoking area and then presumably just clean it up after the game. The dome is the only place I can think of where littering butts is totally accepted.
Personally I think the stubbi thing is useless. I can usually find a garbage to throw my butt in (after it is extinguished). Doesnt usually effect me though because the U of C has ashtrays absolutely everywhere.
I think the fine is excessive and won't discourage people any more than a $100 fine would. I certainly don't think it is unfair though. I just don't know why it isn't the same fine for littering anything, not just a butt.
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The $1000 fine is only for still lit butts I believe, which I think is reasonable considering the implications of throwing burning objects on the ground in a largely dry climate. I think the degree of the fine will be effective at discouraging people if it is known and at least occasionally applied. It's one of those things that probably isn't going to be applied all that often, but if you can get people to realize that throwing a butt on the ground could cost them $1000 they're going to be more likely to walk 20ft to the ashtray or find an alternate spot to dispose of the butts (like the stubbi). With a $100 fine there simply isn't the same element of consequence to push that behavior.
There's really no excuse for not disposing of your butts properly IMO. Whether you carry something with you or find an ashtray there's always an option. Or you could just get in touch with your inner cowboy and enter the flavor country that is Copenhagen.