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Smokers outside pubs, bars and restaurants are being offered free ashtrays to tackle the growth in smoking related litter following the smoking ban last summer.
During evenings over the next few weeks, two reps from Elmbridge Council will be offering advice and free portable ashtrays to smokers to raise awareness that cigarette ends are litter. 
Councillor Glenn Dearlove, Portfolio Holder for the Environment said, 'Since the ban on smoking we've notice a real increase in cigarette ends especially in the vicinity where smokers gather outside commercial premises, restaurants, bars and pubs etc. Discarding a cigarette end in a public place is not only antisocial, it's also a littering offence. By engaging with smokers out and about, we hope to remind smokers to always dispose of their butts property, and help keep Elmbridge a clean and great place in which to live, work or visit'.
Smoking related litter is worst where smokers gather, but any pavement and gutter in your local area will show discarded cigarette ends. These are difficult items of litter to remove as they jam in cracks or fall into drains and cause problems with sewage treatment. They take a long time to break down and release the toxic substances that have collected in the filter.
No ifs, No butts
The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 gives Councils greater powers to target those who litter. They can issue fixed penalties of £75 against people who throw cigarette ends from car windows or drop them in the street.
These powers will be used if necessary, but we hope that by raising awareness of the issue, smokers will bin their butts, or use a portable ashtray rather than littering.
Free stubbi pouches
Stubbi pouches are pocket ashtrays. They're a practical solution to disposing of cigarette ends. They are reusable, discreet and can be used wherever you are. If you would like a free stubbi pouch please |get in touch.
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