The proposal to fine from 100,000 to 150,000 VND for the act of throwing cigarette heads, cigarette butts, and ashes in the wrong places in public places is receiving the consensus of the people.
Many people still think that a small cigarette filter is not worthy of punishment. It is the thought of underestimating minor violations that has caused the situation of littering in public places to last for many years.
It is not difficult to see images of smokers walking and conveniently throwing cigarette butts onto the road, throwing filter heads onto sidewalks, parks, bus stations, residential areas or in front of offices and agencies.
They consider it normal, but it is a manifestation of lack of awareness.
A civilized city is shown from very small actions such as littering in the right place, not spitting indiscriminately and not throwing cigarette butts on the road.
Along with the proposal to punish the act of throwing cigarette butts, the draft also proposes a fine of 1 to 2 million VND for the act of dumping garbage on sidewalks, roads, and dumping garbage into drainage systems, ponds, lakes, rivers, streams and canals.
For many years, many drainage culverts in urban areas have become reluctant garbage collection places. Plastic bags, styrofoam boxes, plastic bottles, leftover food and all kinds of waste are freely thrown into the sewer mouth by people.
When heavy rain occurs, the water cannot drain, causing widespread flooding.
Every rainy season, people complain about flooded roads, rising water, and traffic paralysis. But few people recognize that it is the unconscious daily littering behavior that contributes to creating that situation.
Urban flooding not only comes from unsynchronized infrastructure but also from irresponsible hands.
Similarly, many ponds, lakes, canals and rivers are struggling to contain domestic waste discharged by humans. Black water, stench, dead fish, and messy landscapes have become familiar images in many places.
It is impossible to build a green, clean, and beautiful city if people still see the environment as a place to throw away things they do not want to keep.
However, sanctions are only part of the solution, and more importantly, building a culture of behavior towards the environment.
Everyone needs to understand that maintaining general hygiene is not the responsibility of environmental workers or functional agencies alone, but the responsibility of all citizens.
A civilized society starts from very small actions, not throwing a cigarette butt on the ground, not throwing a bag of garbage into the sewer, not dumping waste into ponds and lakes.
When unconscious behaviors are strictly handled and community awareness is raised, the living environment will change.
