A smoker has been found guilty at Cambridge Magistrates Court for discarding his cigarette butt in Cambridge.
Mr Tom Todd of Cherry Hinton gave a false name when challenged for dropping the litter on Trinity Street last November.
Subsequent enquiries enabled the city council to identify Todd and progress the case through the Magistrates Court.
Todd, who pleaded guilty by post, was given a £100 fine for the offence of dropping litter and a £150 fine for giving the officer a false name, plus £150 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.
Yvonne Mackender, Enforcement Manager for Cambridge City Council, said: "Cigarette-related litter has increased since the implementation of the smoking ban back in July 2007, with smokers discarding their cigarette ends outside shops, pubs, clubs and restaurants."
Many smokers do not realise that cigarettes are classed as litter, but it actually takes up to 12 years for a cigarette butt to degrade and they are extremely difficult for litter pickers to pick up. They are also injurious to birds and other wildlife, which pick them up believing they are food.
"The enforcement team balances their enforcement activities with educational ones. For example, they have encouraged the use of pocket ashtrays to enable smokers to dispose of their litter legally," said Councillor Mike Pitt, Executive Councillor for the Environment and Waste Services.
He went on to say: "We issue fixed penalty notices only when we have to. If an individual chooses not to pay the fixed penalty notice, then we will prosecute. Like the rest of the team, I am delighted with this result."
Further information and advice about litter, waste disposal and recycling is available through the Customer Service Centre by calling 01223 458282.
