Cigarette tossing is more than just a road peeve

No “butts” about it, tossed cigs cause fires. Along with their namesake bad habit, many smokers have a nasty practice of flinging ashes and lit cigarettes out the window when driving, or emptying their car ashtray onto the road when stopped. What’s the harm of these inconsiderate acts? First off, it’s illegal. This is a “litter highway” offence under section 180 of the Highway Traffic Act. If a fire results, criminal charges can apply. And roadside grass fires are indeed common, as are fires in other vehicles (for example, when a lit butt lands in a mattress being transported by another vehicle).

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