The Villages is not an ashtray.

[Wiserbud47]

It seems that there are quite a few people who think that The Villages is an ashtray. They may be very clean, neat people in other ways but they do not see any problem throwing butts and empty packs on the ground. There needs to be a change in mindset. Anyone have any thoughts on the subject?

[HHMAN]

It is disgraceful to see all the butts tossed along cart paths, sidewalks and yards along the sides! Don't have any idea what gives smokers the idea that it's OK to just toss them anywhere. Cigar butts and the plastic ends to those little cigars are also quit abundant. Any thoughts on how to get smokers to stop littering!!

[gerryann]

It is disgraceful to see all the butts tossed along cart paths, sidewalks and yards along the sides! Don't have any idea what gives smokers the idea that it's OK to just toss them anywhere. Cigar butts and the plastic ends to those little cigars are also quit abundant. Any thoughts on how to get smokers to stop littering!!

If they can't,won't, or don't want to quit smoking.....they most likely also don't care about littering.

[asianthree]

butts,not the only trash they throw out of their cart

[sueandskip]

Get your local police to start issuing warnings about littering....

[Bogie Shooter]

It is disgraceful to see all the butts tossed along cart paths, sidewalks and yards along the sides! Don't have any idea what gives smokers the idea that it's OK to just toss them anywhere. Cigar butts and the plastic ends to those little cigars are also quit abundant. Any thoughts on how to get smokers to stop littering!!

This sure is not a recent question. It was even worse when we all smoked!

[paulandjean]

Get your local police to start issuing warnings about littering....

Think police have better things to do.If its a problem,organize a clean-up.

[Posh 08]

Once I get settled in down there I'm going to organize the Butt Pickers Clubs.

[Count'n the days]

That's funny. That's one club I don't want to join since I don't want to pick anyone else's.

[De Lis]

Found (another) cig butt on the golf course, Turtle Mound, on Wednesday morning.

Geez, don't involve the rest of us in your nasty habit!

[rubicon]

Stop and think about the mentality of someone who believes they have a right to discard their trash anywhere they please. It is not only a digusting habit it is plain arrogant, ignorant and lazy

[marennorge]

I counted 78 cigarette butts between the Duval Mail Station and Canal Street one night while walking my dog. And not one dog poop. Cigarette filters are not biodegradable.

[Golfingnut]

People that smoke are nasty plain and simple.
Sorry if that offends anyone, but in 2012 with what we know about cigarettes, you are nasty if you smoke in public.

[batman911]

It is disgraceful to see all the butts tossed along cart paths, sidewalks and yards along the sides! Don't have any idea what gives smokers the idea that it's OK to just toss them anywhere. Cigar butts and the plastic ends to those little cigars are also quit abundant. Any thoughts on how to get smokers to stop littering!!

How about a $5 deposit on each cigarette which is refunded when you purchase the next pack if you have all 20 butts and the pack. I'll vote for that.

[manaboutown]

My father used to comment that cigarette smokers could walk knee deep through cigarette butts without noticing them. They seem oblivious to just tossing the butt on the ground, sidewalk or street, perhaps making a half-hearted gesture of stepping on it and then blithely going about their business. Ironically this article just popped up in the news. Secondhand Smoke Kills 42,000 Nonsmokers a Year in US - Yahoo! News (http://news.yahoo.com/secondhand-smoke-kills-42-000-nonsmokers-us-132258497.html)

That is probably an understatement. How about the smokers who smoke outside the doorways of various buildings or who leave their burning cigs in ashtrays outside buildings so we all get to walk through the poisonous stench?

[quirky3]

How about a $5 deposit on each cigarette which is refunded when you purchase the next pack if you have all 20 butts and the pack. I'll vote for that.

Great idea!!!

[Serenoa]

With everything widely known for the last 30 or 40 years about the dangers of smoking, I can't help but question the intelligence of anyone that I still see lighting up.

Perhaps the indiscriminate butt tossers are just too dang stupid to know they're doing something wrong.

[anarick]

How about banning cigarette smoking all together in TV?
Smokers can smoke in their homes or designated areas through out the villages.
It may be difficult at first but it may help reduce the butts.

[Happinow]

How about going to a restaurant like City Fire or Red Sauce for an outdoor meal and the smokers smoke out there. They ruin the dining experience for everyone around them. I think all restaurants and all public places should be nonsmoking inside and out.

[2-crazy]

The military



The military discovered this problem back when and they had the means to correct it. Forced butt patrol each morning around the barracks.

[gamby]

To all you smokers !

I used to smoke but could never quit until my lung collapsed and I was in a coma for months.

I'm now on oxygen 24/7 for the rest of my life , I can only walk about 20-30 steps . I'm told it's progressive , meaning the damage will continue even though I quit smoking 4 years ago.

Quit now! and maybe you can slow down the damage and live a little longer.
Don't think this applies to you, I have news for you; You already have done much damage and it will continue.

Next time you toss a butt on the ground why don't you just pick it up and toss it and the pack in your pocket in the trash; It will take a long time to learn not to smoke but millions have already quit.

I'm not blaming anyone for smoking , it's not your fault but it's a life and death problem you will have to deal with at some point in your life.

G

[graciegirl]

To all you smokers !

I used to smoke but could never quit until my lung collapsed and I was in a coma for months.

I'm now on oxygen 24/7 for the rest of my life , I can only walk about 20-30 steps . I'm told it's progressive , meaning the damage will continue even though I quit smoking 4 years ago.

Quit now! and maybe you can slow down the damage and live a little longer.
Don't think this applies to you, I have news for you; You already have done much damage and it will continue.

Next time you toss a butt on the ground why don't you just pick it up and toss it and the pack in your pocket in the trash; It will take a long time to learn not to smoke but millions have already quit.

I'm not blaming anyone for smoking , it's not your fault but it's a life and death problem you will have to deal with at some point in your life.

G

Bless your dear heart for your honesty. Hugs and love.

[2BNTV]

I am against smoking as it killed my cousin at age 42. Sister at age 45.

I found that trying to convince someone who smokes to stop is like pi**ing up a rope.

Same as telling someone to get there lazy butt to pick up butts.

It is a digusting habit as I remember family members distinguishing their butts on dinner plates eeeewwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!! We have moved away from cigarette trays on tables as who wants to see butts when eating. eeeeewwwww!!!!!

In a perfect world, things like this wouldn't happen.

[Bonny]

If they can't,won't, or don't want to quit smoking.....they most likely also don't care about littering.

That's not very nice to say.

[Serenoa]

That's not very nice to say.

What's nice about litterers & their litter?

Oh, wait.....their careless habit provides good, high-paying jobs for people who have to clean up after the lazy a$$ butt chuckers?

Is that it????:jester:

[Challenger]

Walked today past Sterling Heights Rec center. Stopped counting when I reached 100 butts. Sickening sight.

[Bonny]

What's nice about litterers & their litter?

Oh, wait.....their careless habit provides good, high-paying jobs for people who have to clean up after the lazy a$$ butt chuckers?

Is that it????:jester:

To say that people who don't want to quit smoking, so they are litterers, is a silly thing to say.

[Patty55]

This thread shouldn't be about smokers, it should be about SLOBS-has nothing to do with smoking. These smokers who allegedly throw butts would still be slobs, if they quit tomorrow they'd be throwing gum wrappers. A SLOB IS A SLOB.

As for the rest of the opinions about smoking, HELLLOOOO, there already are designated areas to smoke and these people are in them, it's called outside or at home.

[gerryann]

To say that people who don't want to quit smoking, so they are litterers, is a silly thing to say.

I was speaking of the intelligence of smokers.

[karostay]

We like to dine outside whenever possible I wish restaurants would not allow out door smoking would make dining much more enjoyable..

[gerryann]

We like to dine outside whenever possible I wish restaurants would not allow out door smoking would make dining much more enjoyable..

I agree. I don't even like going in or out of the squares, because the smokers are all there huffing and puffing at the entrances.

[Suzi]

Smoking is a HABIT which some enjoy while others despise but are unable to quit. For many, smoking is NOT a choice - it is very hard but not impossible to quit. Littering is a CHOICE, first and foremost, and everyone has to decide for themselves (because its a free country - at least it is currently) whether to litter. I think smoking causes lung cancer, COPD, foul smelling clothing, causes fires etc but also causes loss of common sense - somehow smokers don't think dropping their butts around is littering. Sad but true.

[karostay]

:rant-rave:Lets all ride around in our golf carts throwing out household garbage when we get pulled over..Just say office think of it as a cigarette butt..You certainly wouldn't pull some one over for throwing it on the street

[batman911]

With everything widely known for the last 30 or 40 years about the dangers of smoking, I can't help but question the intelligence of anyone that I still see lighting up.

Perhaps the indiscriminate butt tossers are just too dang stupid to know they're doing something wrong.

I'm sure smokers are aware and concerned about the health risk. They are addicted to nicotine. Very hard to break the adiction (I know from personal experience). I'm sure most would quit if they could. No excuse for throwing filthy butts all over. Throwing any trash on the ground any where in a beautiful community like TV says a lot about who you are.

[Serenoa]

To say that people who don't want to quit smoking, so they are litterers, is a silly thing to say.

Wow...that must mean that people who DON'T smoke go around and collect butts from ash trays where ALL the smokers have been so careful & courteous to dispose of their spent cancer sticks, and then these same devious non-smokers toss the butts on the ground everywhere just to make the smokers look bad. Is that it?

Seriously, if it isn't the smokers who are tossing their butts on the ground wherever they feel is convenient, who is it? Hmmmm? To try & claim it isn't is way beyond silly.

And one more question. Why would anyone in their right mind NOT want to quit smoking? Is the liitle bit of nicotine high really worth the proven health risks? And if you don't care about yourself, what about innocent folks around you that are forced to inhale your deadly smoke?

[graciegirl]

Wow...that must mean that people who DON'T smoke go around and collect butts from ash trays where ALL the smokers have been so careful & courteous to dispose of their spent cancer sticks, and then these same devious non-smokers toss the butts on the ground everywhere just to make the smokers look bad. Is that it?

Seriously, if it isn't the smokers who are tossing their butts on the ground wherever they feel is convenient, who is it? Hmmmm? To try & claim it isn't is way beyond silly.

And one more question. Why would anyone in their right mind NOT want to quit smoking? Is the liitle bit of nicotine high really worth the proven health risks? And if you don't care about yourself, what about innocent folks around you that are forced to inhale your deadly smoke?

I don't smoke and I am not supporting smoking but as we age the addiction becomes harder and harder to break. It is very sad and must be scary for those who have it.

We buried two long time friends who died of lung cancer this year. They tried so hard to stop.

[batman911]

How about going to a restaurant like City Fire or Red Sauce for an outdoor meal and the smokers smoke out there. They ruin the dining experience for everyone around them. I think all restaurants and all public places should be nonsmoking inside and out.

Smoking has been banned in all public buildings, stores, arenas, bars, restaurants, etc in Hawaii and several other states. The restaurant and bar owners complained loudly that it would ruin their businesses. That has not happened. There is also no smoking within a set distance from building entrances, bus stops, etc. You could circulate a petition to your state representatives to pass such a state law in Florida. In my opinion, it is only a matter of time before all states join the ban. I do not dislike smokers but I do object to seeing butts all over the roads and paths.

[Serenoa]

This thread shouldn't be about smokers, it should be about SLOBS-has nothing to do with smoking. These smokers who allegedly throw butts would still be slobs, if they quit tomorrow they'd be throwing gum wrappers. A SLOB IS A SLOB.

As for the rest of the opinions about smoking, HELLLOOOO, there already are designated areas to smoke and these people are in them, it's called outside or at home.

I'd bet the farm that there are thousands of ex-smokers living in The Villages. Funny thing though, I haven't seen a thread complaining about gum wrappers on the ground everywhere. I wonder who picks up all the gum wrappers?? HELLLOOOOO:girlneener:

[looneycat]

How about a $5 deposit on each cigarette which is refunded when you purchase the next pack if you have all 20 butts and the pack. I'll vote for that.

hmmm, one could then sell their butt on the black market.....:pepper2:

[Golfingnut]

I'd bet the farm that there are thousands of ex-smokers living in The Villages. Funny thing though, I haven't seen a thread complaining about gum wrappers on the ground everywhere. I wonder who picks up all the gum wrappers?? HELLLOOOOO:girlneener:

Gum wrappers are litter, but a cigarette butt is a nasty bacterial laden bio hazard.

[Patty55]

I personally abhor ignorant, common, stupid people but as I matured I managed to excercise a little restraint and acknowledge that they do have their place in the world-I just never imagined that their place would be near me.

First, let me say that I don't see mountains of cigarette butts, dog poop and all the other "nightmares" that you people experience on a regular basis. I look around and see a beautiful place with gorgeous landscaping. I see people all trying to enjoy themselves and I don't see anyone more special than the rest.

If anyone feels strongly about the restaurant issue perhaps they should put their money where their mouth is and open a totally non-smoking restaurant, I'm sure the smokers will respect that and stay away. As it stands now there are designated smoking areas and if you sit in one you should STFU.

If the smoking at the entrance to the squares bothers you, then avoid the area where the benches are and go in the side.

If I thought for one minute that the small minded group of whiners that post this drivel was really indicative of the general population of TV I would be ashamed to call this place home.

IT IS WHAT IT IS

[Patty55]

I'd bet the farm that there are thousands of ex-smokers living in The Villages. Funny thing though, I haven't seen a thread complaining about gum wrappers on the ground everywhere. I wonder who picks up all the gum wrappers?? HELLLOOOOO:girlneener:

Do you even live here?

[gerryann]

I personally abhor ignorant, common, stupid people but as I matured I managed to excercise a little restraint and acknowledge that they do have their place in the world-I just never imagined that their place would be near me.

First, let me say that I don't see mountains of cigarette butts, dog poop and all the other "nightmares" that you people experience on a regular basis. I look around and see a beautiful place with gorgeous landscaping. I see people all trying to enjoy themselves and I don't see anyone more special than the rest.

If anyone feels strongly about the restaurant issue perhaps they should put their money where their mouth is and open a totally non-smoking restaurant, I'm sure the smokers will respect that and stay away. As it stands now there are designated smoking areas and if you sit in one you should STFU.


If the smoking at the entrance to the squares bothers you, then avoid the area where the benches are and go in the side.

If I thought for one minute that the small minded group of whiners that post this drivel was really indicative of the general population of TV I would be ashamed to call this place home.


IT IS WHAT IT IS

Hmmmm.....ok

[Golfingnut]

Hmmmm.....ok

LOL Really. GerryAnn, I agree with your expert assessment of the above. Ya gotta laugh at some of them. I wonder if alcohol is involved when some folks make posts.

LOL:a20:

[Serenoa]

Do you even live here?

Wow Patty, are you on The Villages welcome committee?

No, we're not your friendly, non-smoking neighbors quite yet. We're hoping to come down for a lifestyle visit very soon, perhaps with plans to retire there in a couple of years. We look forward to finding TV a fun & active, safe, beautiful, clean & well maintained community that we can feel proud to call home. It'll be disappointing to see public areas littered with cigarette butts, and intolerable if we have to breathe 2nd hand smoke while dining in any of the restaurants.

Of course you or anyone else has the right to smoke in your home or designated areas, but please don't deny those of us that choose not to our right to clean air, clean streets & clean sidewalks. Somehow I don't think that's an unreasonable request.

[Patty55]

[quote=Serenoa;562030]It'll be disappointing to see public areas littered with cigarette butts, and intolerable if we have to breathe 2nd hand smoke while dining in any of the restaurants.

Of course you or anyone else has the right to smoke in your home or designated areas, but please don't deny those of us that choose not to our right to clean air, clean streets & clean sidewalks. Somehow I don't think that's an unreasonable request.[/I have taken the liberty of snipping your post

I take it you have never even been here, this place is hardly littered. What I do take offense to is your pre-judgements and "requests".

If breathing second hand smoke in designated smoking areas is unacceptable then perhaps this is not the place for you. Smoking is allowed in most outdoor seating areas.

Your pre-conceptions and criticisms are offensive to me because this is my home. I'm sure you wouldn't appreciate my pre-conceptions of your home.

[Patty55]

Once I get settled in down there I'm going to organize the Butt Pickers Clubs.

PM me when you're ready, I'll join in.

[Hank N Judy]

How about banning cigarette smoking all together in TV?
Smokers can smoke in their homes or designated areas through out the villages.
It may be difficult at first but it may help reduce the butts.

Good luck with that. Smoking is prohibed in the sqs. Ever notice how many are smoking there anyway? Who is going to enforce it?
Cancer usually solves the problem after a while.

[Golfingnut]

lets not argue, butt rather find a happy medium. LOL Even people that smoke know how nasty it is, butt until more sensible laws are passed it is something we have to live with. Smokers are contributing tons of money to Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. They pay into these programs just like the rest of us and then they die long before we do so we should thank them and not ridicule them. They also pay an enormous tax for every carton they buy that goes toward the national debt. So, rather than condemn, lets give them a national holiday in appreciation of their life ending sacrifice to those of us that take advantage of those programs by living much longer without paying any more than a smoker.

Its all in how you look at it.