In Japan, the growing problem of cigarette litter has sparked outrage among the community, including those directly affected by the issue - families of public servants who died on duty. Recently, the bereaved family of a public sanitation worker who passed away has expressed their frustration over the ongoing issue. They are urging the public to be more responsible and respectful, emphasizing that discarding cigarette butts improperly not only pollutes the environment but also threatens the health and safety of sanitation workers.

In Japan, there's a strong cultural emphasis on cleanliness and respect for public spaces. Tidiness is a social norm and littering, particularly of cigarettes, has long been considered disrespectful and irresponsible. This is reinforced by local laws that penalize littering, with fines imposed on violators. Public criticism over cigarette litter further underlines the severity of the issue and signifies a demand for greater responsibility and care for the environment and public spaces.

In the US, the issue of cigarette litter is handled similarly. Numerous campaigns and stringent littering laws have been enacted to curb the habit. However, the enforcement of these laws is arguably less strict compared to Japan. In the EU, countries like Ireland and the UK also have strict regulations against littering, with hefty fines and public shaming campaigns to discourage the practice.