The Problem

Smoking related litter rose after the Smokefree legislation was introduced on 1st July 2007, as smokers had no option but to move outside to smoke.

Under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005, discarded smoking related debris falls into the category of ‘litter’. The introduction of this Act means it is now an offence to drop this form of litter on any land in open air and carries a fixed penalty charge of £75.

 
How we responded

The Council embarked on a local and national campaign, with the Keep Britain Tidy Group, ENCAMS, to help tackle the problem.

By targeting resources and aiming to keep ‘hotspot’ areas clear (such as outside nightclubs, bars, restaurants etc.) smoking related litter was reduced, leading to cleaner streets and an improved environment overall.

Bournemouth Borough Council’s Enforcement officers have delegated powers to issue fixed penalty notices to any resident or visitor caught dropping litter. As well as a raised enforcement profile, additional Cigarette Disposal Units (CDU’s) were installed throughout the borough and an awareness campaign run to inform residents and visitors exactly how they could dispose of their smoking related litter.

How we campaigned

Leading up to July 1st (Smoke free introduction) 500 posters were distributed to businesses, pubs, clubs, restaurants, colleges, the university, language schools and  various other outlets to urge people to stub it and bin it otherwise face a fixed penalty of £75.

In addition the Council:

• Introduced new Cigarette Disposal Units on existing Street Litter bins
• Carried out a series of town centre displays with giant cigarettes walking through precinct areas handing out information and free portable ashtrays
• Launched a radio campaign with ‘Fire 107.6fm’ with a series of adverts broadcast leading up to the Smokefree introduction, with the radio station's street crew handing out free portable ashtrays to the public
• Gave away 1000 portable ashtrays to residents and visitors at various road-shows and events in the town centre areas.
• Conducted partnership working with NHS Dorset to give smokers information on how they could quit smoking
• Carried out ‘smoking patrols’ through town centre areas
• Teamed up with Encams in a national campaign which included outdoor advertising on bus shelters and phone kiosks, advertising in pubs and club toilets, diistributed window vinyls for businesses and the public, distributed stationery branded with the Keep Our Bournemouth Clean message and sent out information packs 

Media Coverage

The campaign proved to be a big success with Bournemouth receiving local and national media coverage on radio and in the press (as partners with ENCAMS). The giveaway materials proved popular, with the Council quickly running out of personal ashtrays and branded stationery from each event that was held.

How we measured our success

Monitoring of six hotspot areas across the borough before, during and after the campaign.
Success of giving away over 1000 personal ashtrays to residents and visitors.
Success of the installation of the Cigarette Disposal Units throughout the precinct areas of the town.
Requests for more smoking related posters by residents visitors and businesses.
Media Coverage
Attitude and awareness questionnaires with members of the public.
The Number of fixed penalty notices issued

Results

48 per cent reduction in cigarette related litter in the hot spot areas monitored

1,000 personal ashtrays distributed
Fixed penalty tickets issued

Extensive media coverage at local and national level