Dropped cigarette butt, a 68-euro fine in Paris

Faced with growing problems of cleanliness in the capital, the government has just taken a firm decision aimed at reducing the number of cigarette butts dropped in the street. Since 1 October, smokers have been banned from throwing their butts on the ground, on pain of a 68-euro fine.

A gesture for the environment

Butts dropped on the ground not only spoil the look of the city and the well-being of those living in it, they also have serious consequences for the environment. It takes an average of 4 to 12 years for a butt to disappear entirely. As well as being an eyesore, a butt releases significant pollutants and heavy metals such as lead, along with nicotine. The various substances it contains are harmful to wildlife and plant life.
Smokers who think they are limiting pollution by throwing their butts into the gutter will also be penalised, since these pollute the sewers and the water supply. The same goes for butts dropped at the foot of trees, which put local plant life at risk.

Measures put in place for smokers

Rather than dropping their butts on the ground, smokers can make use of the various measures introduced by the city of Paris. 30,000 bins fitted with extinguishing plates have been installed across the city, allowing smokers to dispose of their butts roughly every 100 metres. A further 15,000 pocket ashtrays are to be distributed free of charge in the city so that residents and visitors can dispose of their butts as soon as they have finished.

An “anti-butt” measure needed for cleanliness in Paris

Every year, 350 tonnes of cigarette butts are collected in Paris. Parisians smoke an average of 1.6 billion cigarettes a year, which means as many butts for the city to dispose of. Given that almost one resident in two drops their butt on the ground, finding a way of limiting the pollution had become essential. Note too that the city of Cannes has joined the cause: a butt dropped on the Croisette costs a 68-euro fine if paid immediately, and 180 euros otherwise.

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