Kerre Woodham: Filthy cigarette butts are littering our streets, beaches and parks

Good on the Taranaki District Council for putting up signs discouraging smokers from lighting up in its parks.

Not that I have anything against smokers - I'm all for defending the rights of persecuted minorities, and if there were a couple of pubs in every city and town that allowed smokers to go to hell in their own way, where would be the harm in that?

No, the council's on the right track because I'm sick and tired of seeing cigarette butts on the streets, on the beach and in the parks.

Actually, it's litter in general I have a problem with. And it's not just because I'm getting old and grumpy. It's the callous disregard for others that I find so appalling.

Seeing chip packets, drink bottles, plastic bags, takeaway food boxes, wrappers - and yes, cigarette butts - littering our beautiful country tells me that we have far too many arrogant and ill-mannered individuals whose habits are selfish and grubby.

The council staff do a great job in cleaning up after these pigs but they shouldn't have to. Litterers need to grow up and take responsibility for themselves and their rubbish, and the rest of us should shame them into picking up after themselves.