Scarlets stars are encouraging smokers in Carmarthenshire. to put their butts in the ‘sin’ bin
Rob Higgitt, Gareth Maule and Jonathan Edwards joined council officers in Llanelli’s St Elli Shopping Centre to raise awareness of cigarette-related litter.
Scarlet FM’s Helen Enser Morgan was also in town along with ‘Sid the Cig’ to warn smokers that that if they are caught dropping litter they could be fined £75 – or more if prosecuted through the magistrates court.
Rob said: “It is very important that people dispose of their cigarette litter appropriately, not only will it reduce cleaning up costs for the council but it will also make the county a much cleaner welcoming place for both residents and visitors.”
Free portable ashtrays were handed out to shoppers so that if they are out and about and there is no bin around there is no excuse for dropping their cigarette ends on the street.
Director of technical services Richard Workman said:
“Many people do not think of cigarette ends as litter, but it is. It makes an area look unsightly and it is difficult and very expensive to clean up as the ends fall into grates and cracks in the pavement. We hope people will take notice of this campaign and put their cigarette ends in the bin; we don’t want to fine people, but we will not hesitate to do so if they continue to litter in this way.”
Research shows that discarded cigarette ends make up the largest proportion of litter in Carmarthenshire. An inspection by Keep Wales Tidy found that 83 per cent of the county’s streets had visible evidence of smoking-related litter. As well as cigarette ends, the streets were littered with cigarette packets and the associated foil and cellophane wrapping, tobacco pouches and paper, cigarette lighters, matches and match-boxes.
Executive board member for the environment Councillor Haydn Jones said: “I hope people take notice of this campaign, our aim is to raise awareness of this type of litter and encourage people to behave responsibly.
“A number of new litter bins are being installed into our town centres which include ashtrays for cigarette ends, so there really is no excuse.”
