Why do people think it's ok to throw cigarette butts to the ground?

[Bleacher Creature]

Just to be clear, I don't care if people smoke and this is not an anti-smoking tirade. That said, how is throwing your cigarette to the ground any different from any other form of littering. If I were walking down the street eating a candy bar and just tossed the wrapper on the ground, people would look at me in horror. I realize that cigarette butts are smaller, but they are also on fire. I drives me nuts to seem people do this -- although I'm never brave enough to do or say anything.