It is of course the secondhand smoke as well as the litter that is a big problem. While many restaurants in town post signs explaining the Town ordinances, people regularly ignore them. Smokers are to stay 20 feet from the building, however they ignore this and not only smoke directly in front of the doors, they litter our sidewalks, streets, and planters downtown. We are the volunteer caretakers of a planter in downtown in front of a popular bar and restaurant. Over the last several years, we clean out over 100 cigarette butts each weekend from the planter. There are countless more on the streets and in the gutter that wash into our water systems. There is a lot of misinformation out there regarding cigarette butt litter. The biggest myth is that cigarette filters are biodegradable. In fact, they are not. The filters can take many years to decompose. Smokers may not realize that their actions have such a lasting, negative impact on the environment. Cigarette butts also present a serious threat to wildlife. Cigarette filters have been found in the stomachs of fish, birds, whales and other marine creatures who mistake them for food. A good way to educate people about this is to start with people you know. If someone you know ignores the law, litters their cigarettes, talk to them. If, after hearing of the consequences of their actions they continue to behave selfishly, mark it down to them being bags with witch you douche.

i can't believe people still smoke..now that we've known for 50 years that it kills people. it used to be perceived as cool but not anymore..smoking, littering, and graffitti are totally uncool..

Smoking is disgusting and I feel sorry for the addict, but they need to realize that second-hand smoke is selfish. Some smokers are aware and obey the laws, but here in Los Gatos, we get many outsiders and tourists. The bar-scene is big and can get pretty smokey outside. Plus, it is a young crowd that attracts people from surrounding areas who aren't necessarily LG residents. Unfortunately the bars, restaurants and shops rely on those customers/tourists. What can we do?

There will always be smoking. And where are the smokers supposed to discard cigarette butts? We know this is a killer addiction. It's also a free country. All we're doing to stop the smokers and the smoking is helping but the cigarette companies need to make a biodegradable, less addicting product. But we won't see an end to the problem until the rebellious younger people see that it's stupid and not cool. Parents need to stop smoking, too. I could go on and on, but, bottom line, this is a world-wide industrial/social problem.