Three people fined for dropping cigarette ends

THREE people have been fined £75 by the council for dropping cigarette ends.

A man was caught at Dafen Pond in Llanelli; a woman was fined in the Farmfoods car park, Parc Pensarn, Carmarthen; and a man was fined at Leekes car park in Cross Hands.

Fixed penalty notices were issued by council environmental enforcement officers who were on routine patrols at the time of the offences.

Failure to pay could result in prosecution in court and a fine of up to £2,500.

Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones said: “Dropping litter is against the law, whether it is discarding rubbish from a vehicle, throwing cigarette ends or spitting out chewing gum.

“Our enforcement officers carry out regular patrols across the county and we will not hesitate to fine anyone we see dropping litter.”

Figures show that 83% of litter found on county streets is smoking-related. Cigarette ends are very difficult and costly for the council to clean up as they fall into grates and cracks in the pavement and cannot be removed by normal cleaning methods.

“We are determined to clean up Carmarthenshire for both residents and visitors,” added Cllr Jones.