8 June 2007
Get into the habit of stubbing out in the City
Dozens of cigarette butt bins will be installed in the City of
London in advance of the smoking ban which comes into effect in
England on 1 July 2007.
The black bins will be erected on lamp posts, walls and railings
around the Square Mile to encourage City workers and residents to
stub out their cigarettes before entering premises including
stations, offices, shops, bars and restaurants which will be
covered by the change in law.
The bins can also be used to dispose of chewing gum.
Some 80 bins will be installed predominantly outside tube and
train stations by 11 June. A further 80 will be erected once
smoking "hot spots" have been identified. Pavement markings should
help highlight the location of the bins.
Currently 25% of all rubbish collected from the City’s streets
is cigarette-related (butts, empty packets, wrappers etc). As
winner of the Cleanest City Award in 2005, the City Corporation
(which cleans some of the City’s streets up to six times a day) is
keen to reduce the amount of smoking litter thrown onto the
streets.
In the lead-up to 1 July, City of London Corporation staff, with
assistance from City Police officers, have been liaising with
managers and owners of those 6,000 locations in the Square Mile
which will be affected by the ban to ensure they are properly
briefed about the legislation.
The City of London Corporation is responsible for enforcing the
new legislation in the Square Mile. After July 1, officers will
undertake an intensive programme of visits to all licensed bars,
restaurants and other food businesses and a sample of shops, office
and other accommodation to ensure compliance.
Enforcement officers will issue advice and guidance but premises
which do not make an effort to comply with the legislation could
face fines of up to £2,500.
John Brewster, Chairman of the City’s Port Health and
Environmental Services committee, said: "These new butt bins should
encourage workers and visitors to stub out responsibly and help the
City Corporation to keep its streets clean."
Ends
About the City of London Corporation:
The City of London provides local government services for the
Square Mile, the financial and commercial heart of Britain, and is
committed to maintaining and enhancing the status of the business
City as the world's leading international financial and business
centre through its policies and services. Its responsibilities also
extend far beyond the City boundaries and include management of the
Barbican Centre, Central Criminal Court at the Old Bailey, 10,000
acres of open space including Hampstead Heath and Epping Forest,
three wholesale food markets, as well as acting as the London Port
Health Authority.