Barnet Council is one of ten local authorities leading the way in the UKs fight against cigarette litter dropped on the street. Working in partnership with...

Barnet Council is one of ten local authorities leading the way in the UKs fight against cigarette litter dropped on the street.

Working in partnership with Keep Britain Tidy, the council will promote the message that dropping cigarette litter is illegal and can attract a fine of up to ?80.

Posters depicting a camouflaged cigarette and the slogan however you disguise it, its still litter have been designed and aim to tell smokers that, if they drop their cigarettes, they face a fine.

Advertising at sites across the borough will be supported by the distribution of free portable ashtrays at Brent Cross Shopping Centre and by town keepers in several of Barnets busiest town centres.

The campaign comes as research commissioned by Keep Britain Tidy revealed that the level of cigarette litter on streets in England had increased by 43 per cent since the ban on smoking in public places was introduced in July.

Councillor Matthew Offord, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, said: "Here in Barnet, we are proud of our clean streets and have this year revolutionized our approach to street cleaning through our Clean Borough Strategy.

"But smokers have their part to play in maintaining Barnets clean, green and safe reputation.

"It is against the law to drop cigarette ends, or any other litter, and offenders face a fine of up to 80 if caught.

"We will be giving out hundreds of portable ashtrays over the next few weeks which provide a discreet and easy way of disposing of your cigarette ends - we want people to take pride in their borough and make sure their cigarettes are disposed of safely and tidily."

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