Cigarette butts

[Ditch]

I feel the need to tell a story that happened to me a few weeks ago. First, this has nothing to do with driving or even littering but, it goes to show what a lit cig can do.

So, a couple weeks back, I was in my backyard and dropped a lit but into a pot of used potting soil. There were at least 50 other butts already in there so, I thought nothing of it. Also, I smoke American Spirits now. They don't have any additives and tend to go out on their own if they are not being smoked. So, a couple hours pass and I'm giving a reloading lesson to a CGer in my garage when my room mate comes out to BS and then he says that he smells something burning. Since I have no sence of smell, I asked him to find the source. He ended up in the backyard where, he decided it smelled like a neighbor's BBQ. Now, a couple more hours pass and it's almost dark. I just happen to walk into the backyard, turn around and walk back in (I forgot why). Well, while turning around, I realized something wasn't right. I turned and saw smoke coming from the plastic pot of dirt! Yep, over 4 hours had passed and the old, dead roots in the potting soil were smoldering! After drowning the container, I found that over 1/2 of the dirt was burned and the plasic pot had a 4" spot that had melted! So, to whoever thinks that their butt won't or didn't start a fire (because they passed their hours before the fire), THINK AGAIN! any smoldering object can start a fire!

Thats very true, and I used to pitch smokes out the window years ago! I now just get rid of the fire in a safe place and keep the but and tobacco to throw away in a trash can. The fire on a smoke will go out fast, with out the tobacco.

[Gryff]

I hate that so many smokers are such lazy *******s that they just throw their butts on the ground. I want to see the charge changed to attempted arson whether they do it on the road or while about to walk into a store/building.

[HappyG]

What about people that spit? I'd rather have a cig butt hit my car then someone's spit. Or rather walk over a cig butt then have to walk on someone's spit. Now that's gross.

[ryno066]

Dave Attell did it on insomniac. He was with New Orleans cops and tossed one on the ground in front of them. They just looked at him like, are you for Fing real. I loved it.

I have only known two smokers that pack their butts out after work or a hike.

[Fire in the Hole]

Have we quite exhausted this thread yet? What more can possibly said about it? This teat has been milked dry already. Stick a fork in it, it's done.

[Crusader]

I hate that so many smokers are such lazy *******s that they just throw their butts on the ground. I want to see the charge changed to attempted arson whether they do it on the road or while about to walk into a store/building.

You know what I hate? That society treats smokers like the walking plague and have removed all the ashtrays because they are ugly and smell. What the hell am I supposed to do with my cigarettes, throw them in the trash? Now that would be attempted arson.

[Turbinator]

With all due respect that's not true

Ok, tell me how smoking canNOT be enjoyed safely without harming others..? I'd love to hear your perspective.

Turby

[minuteman]

im suprised they dont put people to death in california for something like smoking anymore.

They are trying it seems but they need the tax revenue. With the amount of taxes already the state should be trying to get people to smoke.

[Cpl. Haas]

This past week alone, I've seen 3 trash can fires started in the garbage can in front of my work... 2 of them I can only suspect from cigarette butts... And one confirmed because I watched the ***hat toss his lit cig into the bin. Seriously, how stupid do you have to be to toss a lit cigarette into a trash can!?

[Ditch]

REAL Stupid....but there out there every where!

[locosway]

Just like people still talking on their cellphones without hands free. Hardly anyone complies If you're too stupid to see the black and white passing by, you deserve a ticket.

I've seen so many LEO's on the phone it's not even funny. Does the CA law say they're exempt from the hands free law?

[retired]

[QUOTE]California Vehicle Code 23123
Effective July 1, 2008
23123. (a) A person shall not drive a motor vehicle while using a wireless telephone....I've cut the remainder as it is not germane to your particular question. The below section will answer your question locosway:

(d) This section does not apply to an emergency services professional using a wireless telephone while operating an authorized emergency vehicle, as defined in Section 165, in the course and scope of his or her duties.

In case you are wondering what Section 165 is, I have provided that also:

(b) Any publicly owned vehicle operated by the following persons, agencies, or organizations:

(1) Any federal, state, or local agency, department, or district employing peace officers as that term is defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Part 2 of Title 3 of the Penal Code, for use by those officers in the performance of their duties.

(2) Any forestry or fire department of any public agency or fire department organized as provided in the Health and Safety Code.

(c) Any vehicle owned by the state, or any bridge and highway district, and equipped and used either for fighting fires, or towing or servicing other vehicles, caring for injured persons, or repairing damaged lighting or electrical equipment.

(d) Any state-owned vehicle used in responding to emergency fire, rescue or communications calls and operated either by the Office of Emergency Services or by any public agency or industrial fire department to which the Office of Emergency Services has assigned the vehicle.

(e) Any vehicle owned or operated by any department or agency of the United States government when the vehicle is used in responding to emergency fire, ambulance, or lifesaving calls or is actively engaged in law enforcement work.

(f) Any vehicle for which an authorized emergency vehicle permit has been issued by the Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol.

locosway, that should definitively answer your question. The question itself, without your opinionated statement, was sufficient, knock it off.

I've seen so many LEO's on the phone it's not even funny.

[locosway]

I'll leave all opinions at the door then for this forum.

Another question because I'm curious on this topic. Why are those persons listed in the law exempt?

[retired]

I'll be honest, I have no idea. It may have been lobbied for by the agencies involved and/or the legislators themselves decided to do that. Again, that is pure speculation on my part.

I would surmise you'd have to contact the actual bill initiator and I don't know how successful you would be with that.