As if it is not bad enough that people choose to smoke in many public places and pollute my lungs, I had to deal recently with someone carelessly throwing a cigarette at me. I was stopped at a stoplight a few weeks ago when some guy in the car next to me tossed a lit cigarette out of his car window. It skimmed across the hood of my car. I also had my car windows open and if the guy threw it a few inches further back it would have gone into my car and hit me directly. When I looked over at the man, I saw that he had a child in the front seat with him. He stared at me with a look like I should not be looking at him. I was so stunned I did not know what to say.

Over the last few weeks I have become very aware and annoyed by the amount of cigarettes that people throw out of their cars and on the ground in public places such as parks and even on sidewalks. My observations have become quite disturbing and something that I cannot ignore. People in trucks, junky looking cars, and even luxury cars are all culprits.

I am not going after smokers at the expense of others who litter, such as those who throw tissues and fast food wrappers out the window. In the 16 or so days since I really have become aware of the amount of cigarettes that litter our roads, walkways, and open space areas, I have seen about 20 people throw lit cigarettes out of their windows. I do not understand how people do not see this as littering. Who do these people think is going to pick up the cigarettes? Maybe they think the birds will fly over, pick the cigarette up, and drop it in the trash can for them.

I cannot understand why people do not use the ashtrays in their cars or walk a few feet to a nearby garbage pail. Flicking a cigarette butt out the window is a bad habit meant to be broken. All it takes is one little discarded cigarette to cause a fire. Why should the public be affected because some smokers do not want their car smelling like a dirty ashtray? With all of the news coverage on pollution and fires, when are smokers going to realize that careless disposal of cigarettes can have serious consequences? It really is a dangerous habit that people need to stop being so selfish and careless about.

There have been many cases where people have been blamed for starting a bushfire or a fire in a garbage can by haphazardly throwing a cigarette butt out. They were charged with arson, spent time in jail, and paid fines. In fact, many municipalities send warnings out during peak brush fire alerts urging people not to throw lit cigarettes out because they can spark fires. It can take years for a habitat to recover from a fire or pollution.

In addition to the fire danger, discarded cigarettes pose a wildlife hazard. Wildlife can become sick from eating the butts, which take a long time to decompose. Think about it this way. Recently the media has gone wild over the effect of second-hand smoke on people, especially children. What about the actual cigarette that winds up in our bays and the poor fish that eat it? I wonder if the fish instantly dies.

It is very sad that there are a lot of people out there who do not care about other people's property rights, nature, or wildlife that are affected by this foul habit. Several years ago my father took matters into his own hands and was lucky that he did not wind up in a fight. We saw a woman dump a whole ashtray of cigarettes out of the side of her car while driving. We pulled up alongside the car and my father said something like, "How would you like it if I followed you around and after a month threw all the cigarettes you littered on your front lawn?" She seemed to get the message.

I do not suggest taking matters into your own hands. However, if you are interested in reporting anyone littering out of a motor vehicle or anywhere you can call the police or the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, give the details of the registration of the car or person, the times, locations, etc. The person may be contacted. In some municipalities they may even receive an infringement notice. Although in Nassau County a police officer has to witness the act, he or she can still look into a repeat offense that is becoming a quality of life issue.

For more information about local boating, environmental issues, and other water-related activities throughout the Oyster Bay area you can email the author at Jaime.VanDyke@gmail.com or reach her at 946-9464.