During one of my recent drives home from work I decided to post about something that puzzles me. Smokers. To those of you who smoke, this might not be about you, but really the group of smokers who seem to think they have certain privileges that the rest of us do not exercise.
What got me thinking on my drive is the smokers' need to litter and get extra breaks that the rest of us do not have. A smoker apparently has the privilege of fulfilling his habit in front of places of business, in my face, other public places and all the while using the earth as an ashtray. I don't understand.
Why does a smoker get a smoke break? I don't get an apple break. Or perhaps a coffee break. Why does a smoker find it appropriate to hurl his cigarette rubbish outside the car window or just on the street? I don't throw my Kashi wrapper on the ground or fling my Dunkin Donuts receipt out of my car window so why does a smoker feel he is entitled to this? You sir, have a filthy habit and you are subsequently making my planet undesirable one butt at a time.
Last year I helped at a beach clean up one Saturday morning. It was a beautiful day and I walked with a small group up and down a local beach and it was not the random jug of oil or the broken water bottles that got us miffed, but the countless cigarette pieces sprinkled about. Have you no shame? This is a public place where children play in the sand and swim. People walk barefooted and enjoy the scenery and yet have to be repulsed by cigarette ends as they enjoy their summer beverage and bask in the sunshine.
I have to wonder what goes through the mind of the thoughtless smoker. I appreciate those that put their ends in the appropriate bin and wisk their exhales in the opposite direction. I don't understand the enjoyment or need for smoking, but please, if you must, be so kind as to use an ashtray. The Earth is already being abused and every little effort would be greatly appreciated.
There it is...
