Overview

• Ordnungsamt teams in uniform and plainclothes began targeted patrols today to sanction people who discard cigarette butts.
• Offenders currently face a €55 warning fine or penalties up to €120 under existing rules, according to the district.
• The action follows World Clean Up Day efforts and aims to keep freshly cleaned streets, parks and green spaces from re-littering.
• Officials cite environmental and health risks from toxic residue in filters, including potential groundwater contamination and dangers to children and animals.
• The Senate’s proposed fines catalogue would raise the penalty to €250 per cigarette butt and increase other littering fines, but it is not yet in force and still requires review by the Rat der Bürgermeister.