Smoking ban to create litter surge

Up to 25 tonnes of extra litter could be created every day in Britain due to the smoking ban, the Local Government Association (LGA) has warned.

Councils are gearing up to tackle problems posed by old fag butts, matches and cigarette boxes, once all enclosed public places become smoke-free in England on July 1, following similar bans across the UK.

According to the LGA, an estimated 122 tonnes of cigarette litter is already dropped every day across the UK.

It said town halls are expecting to deal with up to 25 tonnes of extra cigarettes dumped on Britain's streets every day as a result of smoke-free legislation.

An LGA spokesman said: "Town halls are gearing up to deal with the hundreds of extra tonnes of cigarette butts, matches and cigarette boxes that could be carelessly chucked onto our streets by smokers after July 1.

"Fag ends are particularly tricky to clean up as they fall into grates and cracks in the pavement.

"They also contain toxins which, if left, can get into the water system posing a threat to the environment and wildlife.

"The introduction of smoke-free workplaces represents the best chance to improve the public's health for decades.

"However, councils are working hard to keep the streets clean and tidy and to ensure that unintended consequences of the legislation are minimised."

The LGA, which represents more than 400 councils in England and Wales, said that street cleaners will need to concentrate outside pubs and clubs as smokers nip outside for a quick puff.

Councils are working with businesses to provide ashtrays and special containers outside pubs and restaurants.

They are also handing out free cigarette pouches for smokers and launching advertising campaigns to ask people not to throw butts on the ground.

The LGA said that according to Irish Business Against Litter, figures from Dublin showed that cigarette litter rose by 20% following the Irish ban in 2003.

Ginette Unsworth, marketing manager for Keep Britain Tidy, said: "It is likely that the number of discarded cigarette ends and boxes will increase when the new legislation is introduced and that's why we'll be running a campaign in June to encourage smokers to bin their butts."

Councils have been working to combat anticipated problems.

Wirral Council is installing 50 bins around the town centre and embarking on an advertising campaign.

London's Camden Council will hand out thousands of free ashtrays at litter "hotspots", including troublesome areas around railway and Tube stations.

Wigan Council will be giving out cigarette pouches and ashtrays to local pubs.

Colchester, Chelmsford and Braintree councils have teamed up and will be giving away free ashtrays and bulk buying cigarette bins for pubs in the area.

Thurrock Council is handing out thousands of butt pouches for smokers and East Devon District Council is introducing "stub it and bin it" containers.

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