A June 27 article states there are concerns about outdoor disposal of cigarette butts now that the smoking ban has taken effect. Haven't they looked around now? There are butts all over, in parking lots, on the sidewalks — or better yet, look on the ground at stoplights.

When it comes to littering, some smokers are the most inconsiderate people there are. They don't realize cars come equipped with a little box that slides out from the dash called an ashtray.

The article states businesses will provide receptacles for smokers to put their cigarettes in — do you really think they'll actually use these? The article also states Green Bay prohibits discarding cigarette butts and that there is a $177 fine. When was the last time you saw someone get fined for throwing a butt on the ground? From all the evidence I see lying around, the city could be rolling in a surplus of money.

It's stated that business owners will clean up the area provided to the smokers; I say let the smokers police themselves. Then again, they wouldn't get picked up, since discarded cigarette butts don't seem to offend some smokers.

(Por Keith Vieau, Green Bay Press Gazette, 10/07/2010)