Put deposit on cigarette butts

The tossing of cigarette butts on sidewalks, streets and yards, or dumping entire ashtrays from cars are disgusting actions.

I have traveled to or through more than 86 of 120 Kentucky counties in the last few years, delivering free used luggage to foster and adoptive kids, and I have seen this everywhere I go.

I do not want to deprive smokers of their right to smoke. I simply want a return of cigarette butts to stop the litter.

Don’t quit smoking if it’s your choice, but a deposit added for each cigarette butt will give you a reason to save each one for purchase of your next pack, or for other people to pick up to trade in for cash.

While many can explain the toxic nature of cigarette butt in the materials used, decomposition is also an issue. Depending on the source, breakdown is said to be somewhere between eight months and 12 years or more.

Butts end up in our water and food supply, particularly in fish.

This is simple. Manufacturers don't care about this trashing of Kentucky. They should. Our legislators can act. Deposits on cigarette butts, now.

This story was originally published March 7, 2016 at 8:03 PM with the headline "Put deposit on cigarette butts."