England sees biggest rise in cigarette litter
September 26th 2007

England suffered the biggest increase in the number of cigarette ends plaguing its streets since the ban on smoking in public places was introduced – over Northern Ireland and Wales.

Out of the three bans on smoking in public places brought in this year – Wales and Northern Ireland in April, then England in July - England’s streets bore the brunt of the litter problem with 43% rise in the amount of cig butts dropped on its pavements.*

That’s according to the first ever research on the rise in cigarette rubbish after the ban, released by Keep Britain Tidy.

It also revealed a seven times increase in the amount of other smoking paraphernalia – cigarette packets, films and matches - littered on our streets since going smoke-free.

Unsurprisingly, worst hit areas were town and city centres: the home to premises most affected by the ban - bars, shops and offices. Of these only 2% did not have cigarette ends present on the streets.

98% of councils responding to a recent survey revealed to Keep Britain Tidy that their towns and cities have a problem with smoking related litter – with 83% of them suffering an increase since the ban.

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