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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2009
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Chicago Fines Aim to Kick Smokers' Butts From Beach

City buried in millions of tons of litter

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(Newser) – Chicago will fine smokers who toss cigarette butts on the beach—or within 15 feet of one— up to $500. The new law is aimed at cutting the cost of cleaning up after smokers, who have been forced outside by smoking bans, reports the Chicago Tribune. Millions of tons of butts are cleared from beaches every year. 

The new law is a pick-me-up for volunteers who help clear beaches. "We pick them up sometimes by the handfuls," said one. "It's shocking to people who collect the data. You never look at a cigarette butt the same way again."

Indoor smoking bans have forced smokers outdoors - but made cleaning up after them more costly.
Indoor smoking bans have forced smokers outdoors - but made cleaning up after them more costly.   (Getty Images (by Event))
Chicago beaches have been used as an ashtray by smokers for years. Now anyone who tosses a cigarette butt near a beach will be find $500.
Chicago beaches have been used as an ashtray by smokers for years. Now anyone who tosses a cigarette butt near a beach will be find $500.   (KRT Photos)
Smokers are littering shorelines and waterways worldwide with millions of tons of cigarette butts. Chicago is to fine anyone tossing cigarette butts on beaches $500.
Smokers are littering shorelines and waterways worldwide with millions of tons of cigarette butts. Chicago is to fine anyone tossing cigarette butts on beaches $500.   (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
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audainr
Mar 31, 09 10:50 PM CDT
Cigarette Litter - An unseen environmental danger I would like to draw attention to a problem which is largely forgotten. Visit www.buttless.org for more information on how to sponsor a local or regional campaign today. Buttless products are the number 1 choice for governments and Businesses around the world. Government and environmental agencies worldwide are spending millions of tax dollars tackling a problem that until recently has been largely unnoticed. Cigarette litter has impacted on our environment to such an extent that it has become a focal point for top level governmental discussions worldwide. Visual aids used to educate smokers about the harmful effects of their carelessness are easy enough, but proving to be ineffective. Innocently perhaps, smokers are generally unaware of the damage their littering causes the environmet. Many Government and business organisations in Australia, USA, United Kingdom and further afield have put their corporate name and branding to support local and national anti-cigarette litter campaigns using ButtLess Personal Ashtrays. Worldwide indoor smoking bans, whilst valid and necessary have had the counter effect of forcing millions of smokers to smoke outside. With this comes unsightly, unpleasant and unhealthy littering, as the butts will generally be cast off wherever they have finished their cigarette. The Number one choice for city officials around the world the ButtLess Personal Ashtray has a depressed button designed to ensure it can never be opened accidentally and is finished in a range of attractive colours making them practical, attractive and safe to use. It is these features plus the excellent advertising and promotion space on the unit that has seen customers keep returning and working together with us to help improve their local environment. UK Tel: +44 (0) 208 133 9336 Email: sales@buttless.org USA Tel: +1 954 415 5345 Fax: +44 (0) 700 596 1336 Reply
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