Smoking related litter
Six million cigarette butts are dropped on the City's streets every year and we spend about £4 million cleaning them up, it's no small problem.
Dropping cigarette butts is littering and it is a criminal offence to drop litter in the street. No ifs. No butts.
Anyone dropping smoking related litter may receive an £150 Fixed Penalty Notice and the offence attracts a maximum penalty of up to £2,500 and a criminal record for non-payment if convicted in a magistrates court.
Help to reduce smoking related litter in the City
Fixed penalty notice (FPN)
Dropping litter, including smoking related litter, is an offence under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Street Environment Officers, Police Officers or Police Community Support Officers (PCSO) can issue Fixed Penalty Notices if you drop litter. They can ask you for your name and address. It is an offence not to provide details or to provide false information. If you are convicted you can be fined up to £2,500 in the magistrates court.
If you have been issued an FPN you can pay using the link above.
Need help quitting smoking?
The City and Hackney Primary Care Trust provides free advice and support for City workers and residents. As well as improving your health, stopping smoking will save money. If you smoke 20 cigarettes a day stopping smoking will save you £316 a month, almost £3,800 a year!
For more details about the NHS Stop Smoking Service, go to Smokefree City and Hackney
0800 169 1943
Email the Smokers' Clinic
Dispose of your cigarette butts responsibly
Use one of the 700 butt bins on walls and street lamps around the City or use a free City of London minibin (pocket ashtray pouch). You can get free minibins from:
Sign up to our clean streets partnership
By signing up, your business is demonstrating a commitment to reducing the amount of litter (including smoking related litter) on the City streets and keeping the environment a clean and safe place to work, visit and live.
The partnership is a voluntary agreement between your business and the City of London Corporation. It helps businesses identify how, when and where litter problems are arising and to work with the City's Street Environment Officers to resolve them.
Find out more about the Clean Streets Partnership.
The Clean Streets Partnership award
We want to recognise the efforts you make into maintaining high standards of cleanliness around your premises. As soon as you sign up, you are in with a chance to win an annual award. this will be presented at the Clean City Awards Ceremony held annually at the Mansion House.
Clean City Awards scheme
The Clean City Awards Scheme rewards businesses that demonstrate best practice and manage their waste responsibly. Become a member to take advantage of the benefits on offer.
Purchase a butt bin
Businesses in the Square Mile can help reduce smoking related litter by purchasing a butt bin. We have a range of butt bins to suit your particular premises if you would like to purchase one. Our officers can advise you on the best solution. For current prices and advice, please call our Contact Centre on 020 7606 3110 or contact the Street Cleansing team.
Help your employees to stop smoking
The health of your employees is important. Encourage them to feel the benefits of living smoke-free by hosting a smoking cessation session. Call our Contact Centre on 020 7606 3110 or email the SEO team to arrange for our experienced officers to deliver sessions at your premises.