China News Service, Ningbo, May 9th (trainee reporter Li Dian, correspondent Li Long) "Master, there are so many people here, don't eat cigarettes!" In Yinzhou District, Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province, there will always be a group of people wearing green vests, The old man holding a long clip to pick up cigarette butts, when he saw someone smoking in a public place, he came forward to persuade him.

"Grand Cigarette Butt" picked up cigarette butts on the street. Photo courtesy of Li Long

  They are affectionately called "grandma butts" by everyone. Gao Yunxiang, 73, from Qiu'ai Town, Yinzhou District, is one of the founders of "Grandma Cigarette Butt". Four years ago, she and two other elderly people, Wu Guifeng and Li Xiuding, began to persuade citizens not to smoke in public places. From the original "three people" to today's "big force", Gao Yunxiang said that her biggest wish is to smoke-free all over the city, and "lay off" one day earlier.

  In 2016, Gao Yunxiang, who had retired for many years and was at home, discussed with Wu Guifeng and Li Xiuding to do something meaningful to society. They came to the crowded places of Qiu Ai Central Health Center, library, theater and other places to persuade everyone not to smoke in public places. "At the beginning, the word we heard the most was 'many things.' Talking about their persuasion, Gao Yunxiang said," If they don't listen, we will persuade more, and our mentality has long been practiced. "

  In the process of volunteering, Li Xiuding, "Grandma Cigarette Butt," has always adhered to the principle of patient persuasion. Even if the other party's words were unpleasant, they all greeted with a smile. When persuasion is useless, they will pick up cigarette butts in front of the smoker. "As soon as we bend down, they usually take the initiative to pick up cigarette butts."

The cigarette butt picked up by "Grand Cigarette Butt". Photo courtesy of Li Long

  Not only that, but "grandma cigarette butts" started from the side and persuaded their families. "The first thing I persuaded was my son-in-law." Gao Yunxiang said that before, his son-in-law liked smoking very much, and he would smoke one pack a day. With her persuasion, her son-in-law not only basically stopped smoking, but also joined their volunteer service team.

  Gradually, the figure of "Cigarette Butt" bending over to pick up cigarette butts moved many people, and more and more people joined the team to pick up cigarette butts. In May 2016, "Grandpa Cigarette" joined the charity team of "Nongdong Caring", and "Aunt Cigarette" and "Uncle Cigarette" gradually appeared on the streets of Ningbo. From the initial three people to 74 people today, the average age of the volunteer service team for picking cigarette butts is 54 years old, among which there are many mother and daughter files, couple files, and even "family mobilization".

  Driven by the "grandmother of cigarette butts", in 2019, the service team of Yongdong Caring launched the "cigarette butt exchange civilization" activity. Ordinary citizens can pick up 15 cigarette butts to get a bottle of mineral water at the designated place, or pick up 100 cigarette butts to get a bread , Spurred the participation of nearly one hundred citizens.

More and more people are joining the team of cigarette butts. Photo courtesy of Li Long

  Over the past four years, the volunteer service team of "Cigarette Butt Granny" insisted on volunteer service every week without interruption, picking up more than 100 cigarette butts every time, and accumulating more than 40,000 cigarette butts in the past four years.

  The old people are gratified that there are now significantly fewer people smoking in public places, and hospitals, theaters and other public places can hardly smell the smoke. "In the past, public places could pick up three or four hundred cigarette butts, but now they can pick up more than 100 every day. "" Said Li Long, head of the Yinzhou Yongdong Caring Service Team.

  The small cigarette butts exemplify the great civilization, and the "grand cigarette butts" are constantly glowing and heating up, and have contributed their own strength to the construction of a smoke-free city. (Finish)