I've been on both sides of the smoking deal also.You can squeeze the cherry off and toss the filter in your trash if you have to.The paper and tobacco will turn to dirt right quick.As GCD says ,the fiters make good mulch,they take forever to break down.Congrats on your quitting,its not and easy thing.I dont have a problem with smokers...just people that litter.Sort of like how hunters feel about poachers.I hate it when the papers refer to criminals that poach as "hunters".
Joe