Five Fined for Dropping Cigarette Ends

Five people have been fined £75 by council environmental enforcement officers for dropping cigarette ends.

The fixed penalty notices for littering were issued to a man and two women in North Road in Whitland, a woman in Guildhall Square, Carmarthen and a woman in Pentre Road, St Clears.

All four were seen dropping the cigarette butts onto the ground and walking away.

 

Failure to pay could result in prosecution in the magistrate’s court and a maximum fine of £2,500.

Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones said enforcement officers regularly carried out patrols across the county.

He added: “Anyone caught throwing litter will be fined. Cigarette ends in particular are very difficult and costly to clean up as they fall into grates and cracks in the pavement and are almost impossible to remove by normal cleaning.

“The council is taking a firm stand against littering as well as dog fouling. Hopefully people will take notice of these latest fines and think twice before spoiling our environment in this way.”

Research shows that 83% of litter found on the county’s streets is smoking-related. The council has launched a campaign to raise awareness of this type of litter.