You may even be of the opinion that all the fuss about butts and wildfires is yet another way the smoke Nazis are sticking it to the poor long-suffering smokers.

Advertisement

Well, think again.

Unfortunately, improperly extinguished and carelessly tossed cigarette butts are only too capable of starting devastating fires.*

This dramatic graphic gives an idea of just how much mischief one little stompie can get up to. (Click on the image to enlarge):

Poster designed by Saatchi and Saatchi, 2007, pro bono for the Volunteer Wildfire Services.

- (Olivia Rose-Innes, Health24, November 2007)

*On most days, no, you won't be able to get a fire going with a cigarette butt. It's true that conditions have to be just right: low humidity, wind, the glowing tip at a specific angle to fine, dry fuel... On the other hand, such conditions are not uncommon in a country with one of the highest frequency of wildfires in the world.

Sources on the cigarette-fire link:
Leistikow BN, Martin DC, Milano CE. Fire injuries, disasters, and costs from cigarettes and cigarette lights: a global overview. Prev Med 2000; 31(2 Pt 1): 91-99.
National Wildfire Co-ordinating Group. Wildfire origin and cause determination handbook. May 2005.

Post a question or comment to the EnviroHealth Expert

For more info on the Volunteer Wildfire Services: www.capefires.com
 

Print this article

Rate this article Poor 1 2 3 4 5 Excellent

JOBS

Senior Secretary Gauteng - North/Sandton Infrastructure Resource Gauteng - Johannesburg Management Accountant R450,000-500,000 Per Annum Cost To Company Gauteng - Johannesburg Financial Manager R350,000-400,000 Per Annum Cost To Company Gauteng - Johannesburg Financial and Project Accountant R300,000-360,000 Per Annum Cost To Company Gauteng - Johannesburg Financial Accountant R380,000-420,000 Per Annum Cost To Company Gauteng - Johannesburg SSIS Business Intelligence Specialists (SSIS; SSAS) R350,000-500,000 Per Annum Cost To Company Gauteng - North/Sandton Financial Accountant R350,000-450,000 Per Annum Cost To Company Gauteng - South Find more jobs Register your CV Post a job