Cigarette clear-up headache
Black Country councils are preparing to step in to deal with tonnes of extra cigarette rubbish that could be dumped on the region's streets every day as a result of the ban on smoking in enclosed public places.
Pavements and roads outside public buildings are expected to get littered with butts by smokers who step outside for a puff after July 1.
Local authorities are gearing up for extra cigarette litter once all enclosed public places become smoke-free in less than two months.
Wolverhampton City Council and Walsall Council both confirmed they were pulling out all the stops to ensure their streets would not become awash with rubbish once the ban comes in.
Councillor Rachel Walker, Walsall's cabinet member for environment, said: "We are talking to the larger pubs and clubs across Walsall to press them to introduce places where cigarettes can be stubbed out.
"Our staff are aware there could be more cigarette butts dropped and we are planning to meet this extra demand. We have Government funding, which has allowed the council to employ extra environmental health staff to promote our anti-smoking message."
And Tim Clark, spokesman for Wolverhampton City Council, said: "When the smoking ban becomes law, we will run a campaign to remind people to use a bin rather than discard cigarettes on the floor. We are also looking to get a quantity of new bins installed in the city centre.
"It is an offence to drop cigarettes on the floor, but the council will take a supportive stance rather than being heavy-handed. We want to encourage people to dispose of cigarettes properly and are working with premises to ensure they provide outside bins for staff and customers."
Dudley Council spokesman Phil Parker said: "A high percentage of litter is already made up of cigarette ends.
"We have already issued fines for people caught littering in this way and we will continue to do after July 1.
"Anyone caught littering faces a £50 fixed penalty fine which could lead to a fine of up to £2,500 if it goes to court."
Entertainment venues across the country have been preparing for the smoking ban.
Pubs and other venues across the region are spending millions of pounds erecting outdoor shelters to accomodate smokers.
And bingo halls have even arranged to bring in health experts to help their customers to kick their habit.
Wolvrhampton's Mecca bingo hall was closed last month because the company said it expected custom to disappear once the ban came in.
The ban is already in place in Scotland and Ireland and recently started in Wales.
