Putting the toxicity aside, because that could be debated forever. Then, yes, an improperly disposed of cigarette butt is not much different than an improperly disposed of gum wrapper, for instance. However, if I saw someone toss a gum wrapper carelessly on the ground, I’d be just as upset. It’s not about *what* it is… it’s about the fact that it doesn’t belong where it is getting tossed.

Now, for a moment, put aside the fact that the two actions (of throwing a cigarette butt on the ground or throwing a gum wrapper on the ground) are equally offensive. For those of us who understand that this is just “going to happen” and that complaining about it won’t “clean the streets”… there are kind citizens who take the time to pick up such objects when seen, and toss them into the appropriate receptacles. The problem is, a gum wrapper can be assumed to be relatively clean. It probably isn’t, but has the chance to be, which leaves hope, even if the hope is unfounded. A cigarette butt, however, has been burnt on one side, and the other side has been in a stranger’s mouth for a good period of time. This leaves the possibilities of either getting ashes on one’s fingers, or some stranger’s lipstick and/or saliva.

So, really, for those who have to clean up other people’s mess, not all trash is the same… and a cigarette butt is pretty much on the “gross” list, but not as bad as a used diaper as someone else suggested.

Singer-Songwriter Roky Erickson, pioneer of the psychedelic rock genre and member of the 13th Floor Elevators, wrote a song titled “I Walked with a Zombie” which appeared his 1981 album The Evil One. Since then, the bands R.E.M., Alice Donut and Elf Power have covered this song.

I thought it was from Roky’s pre-lockup days with the Elevators.
Many miles on the mental odometer here, so cross-connections occur.

But, not that I think locals go to that particular beach much at all, you don’t have to go swimming to get caught there. The warning signs were actually understatements.