1. It is illegal to smoke indoors
2. San Francisco has made it illegal to have ash trays outdoors
3. Cigarettes set trash on fire so it's not acceptable to put them in the bin
4. Cigarettes have a tax on every pack earmarked to fund street clean-up
I'd prefer to not throw my cigarettes on the ground, but I've been left with no real alternative. Also, I've specifically paid a tax that should fund that clean-up.
When people go out to a national park they don't just throw trash on the ground because "I paid an entry fee that should fund the clean up."
(I dislike smoke, but if you're not blowing it around in a public place I don't particularly mind your decision to smoke)
Regarding your #4, that sounds nice and all, but that doesn't keep butts from ending up in streams and strewn all throughout the environment.
So often people will throw their butts on the sidewalk or in the street even when there's a cigarette-specific receptacle right nearby. There seems to be a cool factor there with the way people flick their butts away.
My technique is to rub out the burning part above the filter on the bottom of my shoe and then throw the filter in the next bin I see. That's just one idea; I'm sure there are many others.
6. "E-Cigarettes are for pussies."
Have you tried...not smoking? It's almost like the city is trying to tell you something.
https://www.amazon.com/SmartDealsPro-Stainless-Portable-Circ...
You buy and carry the pack of cigarettes and the lighter, so the portable ashtray isn't a big additional expense or burden.
You could carry a portable ashtray, sure. But your pockets are already stuffed, you're carrying your cell phone, wallet, keys, cigarettes and a lighter already. Plus those things stink. As a smoker, you already stink, and you're washing your hands, eating mints to futher ensure you don't bother the people around you with the smell of it.
You could extinguish it fully on the sidewalk. The same sidewalk that is pissed and shit on daily in San Francisco. I'd rather not touch my hands to it.
You're constantly demonized by the people around you. Random strangers call you callous in public forums. You're subject to the passive-agressive coughs, the glares from passer-bys and the occassional snarky comment.
The life of a smoker is one of constant inconvenience. Eventually, you just decide you've had enough. It's not worth it anymore. You throw your cigarette on the sidewalk and move on with your day. You don't feel good about it, and you wish you could of done better.
Many places have designated trash for butts.
Where I work, thare is a company that collect these cans, and transform in paper.
After 2 years they are now being proffiteble.
But as a smoker, I fell terrible when there is a trash can in the place, but there are lots of butts in the floor. Makes me mad.
Which can still catch on fire.