I don’t fully agree with you about not fining them but I do agree that a conversation needs to happen too. The problem is that a lot of people won’t care and definitely won’t be embarrassed in the slightest. Both methods won’t work on a load of people so it’s a case of just picking one and sticking to it as inconsistency would be the worst outcome. There’s pros and cons to both.
As an aside, as far as I'm aware before the smoking ban came in dropping your cigarette butt wasn't an offence
Australia, which is usually really into fining its citizens so this is a bit surprising, have a completely different approach to the problem of dog fouling than we do. They provide free poo bags and lots of poo bins in all public parks and even on the streets. Loads of them. There's big rolls and you just tear a couple off. And there's no dog sh*t anywhere. I don't think cig butts should be treated differently to other litter. But I'd like to see a different approach. Give out free portable ashtrays. I use them, they're good. You don't have to waste time looking for a bin. You just put the butt in and close the lid. They're only cheap things. I'd bet a pound to a penny it would have a far greater positive effect on the amount of cig ends on our streets than fining people.
Throwing their shitty thongs on the floor? The dirty bar stewards how dare they? Probably displaying their buttocks in the process- outrageously. Birch them in the Market- put them in the stocks and flick butt ends at them.
There's a telling line in the penultimate paragraph of this article: https://www.barnsley.gov.uk/news/more-litterers-count-the-cost-of-dropping-cigarette-ends/ “I cannot understand why people continue to drop litter despite the number of fines issued and the publicity around them" Is it because fining people doesn't work?
I think it should be encouraged to challenge the perpetrators who drop any kinds of litter and punish them by taking a **** in their pockets, hoods or handbags.
I suggest you read this then. https://truthinitiative.org/news/5-ways-cigarette-litter-impacts-environment
Yes, that's illegal. Out of interest, how do people who are against fines (for deliberate throwing, not accidental dropping) think these people should be treated? Should they get a chance to pick it back up and no harm done or should they get an immediate fine?
I don't know but I doubt the culprits won't be identified, they just don't give a siht , heafty fines for fly tipping I.M.O.