"Is the Flowerbed an Ashtray?" Lost Conscience, Shameful True Colors

Street Flowerbeds Used as Ashtrays
Illegal Cigarette Butt Littering a Headache...Fines Around 40,000-50,000 Won
Difficult to Impose Fines Without Catching Offenders in the Act

Cigarette butts illegally discarded in street flower pots. They are effectively being used as street ashtrays. Photo by Han Seung-gon hsg@asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] "Flower beds are not ashtrays, this is really too much. It's embarrassing for the kids to see."

On the 21st, near a bus stop located in a busy area of Seoul, a flower bed was littered with a large pile of cigarette butts.

Where flowers should be, cigarette butts are unsightly occupying the space. The risk of fire caused by the butts, as well as the damage to the urban aesthetics, naturally caused frowns.

Due to some irresponsible citizens, the flower beds on the streets of downtown Seoul resemble giant ashtrays. As many areas have been designated as no-smoking zones, people who smoke on the streets instead of in smoking booths are discarding cigarette butts on the ground.

Cigarette butts illegally discarded in various spots of a flower bed. The nature protection sign seems meaningless. Photo by Han Seung-gon hsg@asiae.co.kr

In fact, the number of cases of illegal cigarette butt disposal in Seoul has shown no signs of improvement, with 68,053 cases in 2016, 72,193 in 2017, and 72,190 in 2018.

According to the Waste Management Act, the fine for illegal disposal of cigarette butts is 50,000 won. During the 15-day voluntary payment period, the fine is reduced by 20%, so only 40,000 won needs to be paid. If the fine is not paid, it can increase by up to 77%.

The problem lies in the enforcement process. Fines can only be imposed if the act of discarding cigarette butts on the street is directly caught.

Given this situation, some unscrupulous people are discarding cigarette butts anywhere to avoid enforcement.

A man in his early 40s, office worker A, who said he has seen citizens throwing cigarette butts on the street, said, "Throwing cigarette butts in flower beds is truly an irresponsible act," and added, "It's very embarrassing for children."

Another office worker in his 30s, B, said, "From a non-smoker's perspective, the issue of smoking on the streets is quite serious," and expressed frustration, saying, "I think these people only care about their own feelings. I can't understand it."

A sanitation worker voiced difficulties caused by illegal cigarette butt disposal. C, a sanitation worker in his 40s responsible for the area near the flower beds, said, "No matter how much we sweep, cigarette butts come out every day," and urged, "I think this is a matter of people's conscience. I hope people think twice before throwing away cigarette butts."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.