October 31, 2024 #1 Local News, Forum, Information and Event Source for Venice Beach, California.

Can Your Butts Before They End Up In Ocean

Mike Newhouse.
Mike Newhouse.

By Mike Newhouse

As the President of the Venice Neighborhood Council (VNC) important issues facing Venice come across my desk every day.

Those issues are familiar to most of us, and are issues we face every day. Whether it’s parking, development, homelessness, crime or trash, we all have opinions, and we make them heard.

However, lately a more subtle issue has struck me as equally important. Though it has become common, albeit offensive, it dawned on me that we live in a beautiful seaside community where somehow we have resigned to “accept” people throw their cigarette butts on the sidewalk, in the street or worse. And, in a way, what is even stranger, is that people commonly see this happening, and don’t do anything about it. Perhaps it seems rude, or even dangerous to confront someone on the street. Maybe it’s unsanitary to simply pick it up for them after they are gone. In any event, that butt ends up in the street, and ultimately in the ocean.

In fact, this was the scene of my front yard, sidewalk and street on a Sunday morning after a Saturday night party we hosted. To be sure, none of our guests meant anything by it, and to the person I would characterize everyone as “progressive,” “green,” and generally “considerate.” But, it’s just too easy to be lazy and flick your butts into the street, rather than take 10 seconds to crush it out and throw it in the trash. As I swept my yard and gutters that Sunday morning, I started thinking about what can be done.

To be clear, this column is not about smoking; that’s a different discussion. It’s clear that smoking is legal where it is, and illegal where it’s not. This column is about realizing that almost every one of those butts end up in our ocean. Cigarette butts make marine animals sick and sometimes kill them. I’ve watched my kids dig sand castles, and dig up butts.  I’m sure even younger children will put them in their mouths. I’ve seen butts floating in the water when I surf, and if you really want to see how much of a problem this is, walk the shoreline after a good rain. It’s shocking to see the amount of butts that wash onshore.

Nor does this seem to be a class or a race issue. I’ve seen homeless guys toss their butts, as well as clearly wealthy people tossing them out of expensive cars. It almost seems to be as much of a habit as smoking itself.

So, I’ve decided to start calling people out on their behavior. To be sure, I am as polite as possible, and not looking for a fight. “Excuse me, would you mind picking that up, my kids find them washed up on the beach all the time,” or “Do me a favor, can you stamp that out and throw it in the trash so it doesn’t end up in the ocean.”

As a last resort, I will pick up the butt myself, and throw it away. So far I’ve had nothing but understanding, and almost apologetic responses to my requests. Indeed, I really do think tossing butts is part of the habit of smoking. But, like millions of smokers who have quit, those still smoking can certainly break that part of their habit, when they focus on the harm it causes.

Remember, the bottom line is litter is litter, and cigarette butts are possibly the best example of how destructive littering can be.
Do us all a favor, if you smoke, can your butts.  If you don’t, please take the time to ask a smoker to do so, for all of us.

Mike Newhouse is a 19-year Venice resident, an attorney, and president of the Venice Neighborhood Council (venicenc.org).

Tags: in Opinion
Related Posts

New Program Can Help Protect Southern California Homes in the Event of an Earthquake

May 13, 2023

May 13, 2023

Residents Have Until May 31 To Apply For Seismic Retrofit Grants By Janiele Maffei, Chief Mitigation Officer for the California...

Venice Shorts: Tree Trimming Underway Thanks to the Vsa!

April 28, 2023

April 28, 2023

VSA Has Taken up the Task of Trimming Italian Stone Pine Trees. By Nick Antonicello Following the recent toppling of...

Venice Stakeholders Association’s Comments on Traci Park’s Broken Bridge Housing Promise

April 24, 2023

April 24, 2023

By Marc Ryavec I have been struggling with how to address the phenomenon that someone I and many others in...

Column: Tired OF Declinists? Some Enduring New California Positives

April 18, 2023

April 18, 2023

By Thomas D. Elias California has taken a beating lately, with (mostly Republican) governors of other states blasting many aspects...

Venice Shorts: The South Venice Blvd Encampment, Is It a Candidate for a City Cleanup?

April 14, 2023

April 14, 2023

One of the last of the large encampments closest to the beach, Venetians are hopeful help is on the way!...

Venice Shorts: Averill Defeats Tyminski 63%-37% to Become President of Venice Neighborhood Council

April 3, 2023

April 3, 2023

In second bid for top spot, surfer/photographer Brian Averill coasts to an easy win against Venice attorney and outgoing Vice-President...

Column: Install at LAX Tiny Homes From The State Grant

March 31, 2023

March 31, 2023

By Clark Brown On March 16  Governor Newsom announced in Sacramento, his first stop on his State of the State of...

Venice Shorts: Night & Day – Flower & Lincoln Transformed, Back in Business

March 28, 2023

March 28, 2023

By Nick Antonicello In what was a Venice eyesore just a few months ago has been transformed into a place...

Opinion: Please Vote for Daffodil Tyminski

March 25, 2023

March 25, 2023

This is Tom Williams, your neighbor at 1011 Main Street.  With the upcoming VNC election this Sunday, I wanted to reach...

Venice Shorts: Popular Local Jim Robb Seeks Vp Slot, Endorses Brian Averill for President of the VNC!

March 23, 2023

March 23, 2023

By Nick Antonicello  VENICE – In a twist of events longtime Community Officer Jim Robb will now be seeking the...

Venice Shorts: Tabor Family Legacy Amara Hordt Seeks Seat on VNC This Sunday!

March 22, 2023

March 22, 2023

Local realtor looks to follow a family legacy of engaged community involvement here in Venice By Nick Antonicello VENICE –...

Venice Shorts: Erica Moore, A Cheerleader For Venice In Her Run For Community Officer!

March 22, 2023

March 22, 2023

By Nick Antonicello VENICE – Local caterer Erica Moore is making a second run for the Venice Neighborhood Council, but...

Venice Shorts: Running Unopposed, Nico Ruderman’s Deep Dive Into Politics and Government Continues!

March 22, 2023

March 22, 2023

By Nick Antonicello VENICE – It has been an interesting two years of political action, involvement and advocacy for Nico...

Venice Shorts: “V” for Venice Volunteer

March 20, 2023

March 20, 2023

Media professional, local business owner and Dad, Eric Alan Donaldson is defined by his volunteerism and love of Venice. By...

Deborah Keaton, a Consensus Building Candidate for VNC Community Officer!

March 20, 2023

March 20, 2023

Creative director, global brander and private business owner seeks a general consensus on what’s best for Venice moving forward.  By...