Only 10% of cigarette butts are deposited in litter receptacles—the least likely item to be placed in a receptacle.(3) While cigarette litter can occur anywhere on walkways, parks, and other public spaces, most cigarette littering occurs in and around what are called “transition points.”

Transition points are areas where a smoker must extinguish a cigarette before proceeding, such as outside retail stores, hotels, office buildings, bus shelters, train platforms, and other areas where residents wait for transportation also tend to attract cigarette litter.

Because a cigarette butt is relatively small, many smokers discount its impact on the environment.(4) Cigarette litter research in Australia found the following:

• Many smokers who do not properly dispose of their butts, lighting material, and packaging do not consider their behavior littering.

• Some smokers believe they are acting responsibly by dropping cigarettes on the ground and stepping on them to extinguish them.

• Smokers consider dropping butts into gutters or storm drains a safe way to extinguish a cigarette.(5)

(3) Community Change, Understanding Littering Behaviour
in Australia, (Beverage Industry Environmental Council, 1997).
(4) McGregor Marketing for Keep Australia Beautiful, 1998.
(5) Sweeney Research for Tobacco Information Centre and
Keep South Australia Beautiful, 2000.