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Up to €750 in fines for a cigarette butt thrown on the street in Paris

undefined undefined 21 mai 2025 undefined 09h30

The Editor

© Romain P19 / Shutterstock

As more than a ton of cigarette butts is picked up every day in the streets of Paris, the city hall unveiled this Tuesday, May 20, its brand new "butt plan" to combat this extremely harmful practice.

In the streets of Paris, there are bins everywhere. Really everywhere. At every street corner, at every intersection. Yet, despite these little treasures placed all around, it's not uncommon to see nonchalant smokers flicking the ends of their cigarettes right into the gutter. Or from their windows just next to the bin, as if they were too tired to walk 1 meter or make an effort to aim a bit better. To make sure the most stubborn among them follow the rules, the City of Paris has decided to strengthen some measures. Let us explain!


An absolutely disastrous practice

2 billion. That's the absolutely astonishing number of cigarette butts thrown away each year in the streets of the capital. That's between 4 and 5 million a day. Yes, or...

Yes, you read that right! Parisians are clearly much dirtier than we think. This practice comes with astronomical costs, not just for the planet — a cigarette butt takes on average 12 years to decompose, releasing about 4,000 chemicals in the process — but also for the city, since the community spends around 10 million euros every year on this.

In light of this absolutely disastrous situation, the city hall of Paris has decided to double down by implementing sustainable solutions to educate the residents of the capital, some of whom clearly have serious gaps in their understanding of living together. According to estimates, around 60% of the cigarettes consumed in the capital end up in the gutter, polluting a staggering 500 liters of water each.


Enhanced Measures

To minimize this careless and utterly frustrating behavior, the city hall of Paris has chosen to implement various solutions. Initially, around 400,000 pocket ashtrays will be distributed for free at tobacconists in spring 2025.

g> Here we go again! this summer, especially during important events taking place in the capital. In the same spirit, ashtrays will now be mandatory at large gatherings. New extinguishers and survey ashtrays will have to be installed soon in public spaces.

In a second phase, an important awareness campaign needs to be launched. Educational stands will be set up throughout the summer at strategic locations (universities, higher education schools, office buildings…), to raise awareness among smokers about the right practices. Those who hold a patio permit and office building owners will also receive reminder letters and information regarding the installation of ashtrays. Finally, metal nails bearing the message «Here Begins the Seine» will be installed at over 100 strategic points, in front of drainage grates, to ensure these do not become a substitute trash can.


A hefty fine

If you’re told all this…

il;a, dear smokers, this is a bit to put the pressure on you and to give you a little scare with these numbers (a touch of solastalgia never hurt anyone), but also for your own good. Indeed, since smoking is relatively expensive on a daily basis, we want to remind you that if you litter a cigarette butt in the street, you could face a fine of up to 750€! This act is considered a non-dangerous degradation of public space, and it is punishable by a 4th class fine, which is 135€.

A sum that can be reduced (90€) if you pay on time. Increased (375€) if you are not quick enough. And it can also significantly increase in cases of aggravating circumstances — like if you cause a fire, for example — or if you decide to contest the fine in court. In that case, it can then go up to 750€. So let’s hope that the next time you find yourself with a cigarette butt in hand, you’ll think about the planet and your wallet, and take 3 more steps to the bin!