Clampdown to address new cigarette litter menace

Smokers who drop fag ends - or even ash - in public places will be hit by new fixed penalties in Colwyn Bay. The problem of cigarette-related litter has grown since the smoking ban in pubs.

Plans for £75 fine for dropping cigarette ash Aug 5 2008 by Kelly Fenna, Daily Post Plans for £75 fine for dropping cigarette ash YELLOW cards will be dished out to youngsters who spit out chewing gum – and smokers who drop cigarette ash will face a £75 fine.

Adults who litter Colwyn Bay with cigarette butts or ash, or who drop chewing gum, will receive fixed penalty fines as part of a clampdown by police and Conwy council.

Under 18s, who cannot be fined, will receive “yellow card” warnings from North Wales police and Conwy council officials. If they offend again, parents will be visited by enforcement officers.

The scheme has been welcomed in Colwyn Bay. Darren Millar AM for Clwyd West said: “There’s been a massive increase in litter as a direct result of the cigarette ban in pubs. It (the smoking ban) should have been better thought through at the time with better preventative measures to sort out cigarette litter."

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