Paris declares war on cigarette butts in its streets

In the Marais, as elsewhere in Paris, the fight against cigarette butt pollution is taking a new turn.

Each year, 350 tons of cigarette butts are collected in the streets of the capitalincluding 4 to 5 million every day by cleaning agents. Faced with this environmental scourge – a single cigarette butt can pollute up to 500 liters of water – the City of Paris is launching an unprecedented action plan, based around 10 key measures.

Distribution of 400 pocket ashtrays, installation of new extinguishers on street bins, installation of "Here begins the Seine" nails in front of manhole covers, awareness campaigns and €000 fines for offenders: the city hall wants to hit hard.

In the Marais district, shopkeepers and residents are being asked to get involved, while the city supports participatory cleanups and encourages local innovations. The goal: to reduce pollution, protect the Seine, and provide a cleaner, more breathable public space.

This cigarette butt plan, adopted in December 2024 by the Paris Council, will come into effect at the end of May 2025, coinciding with the major national Mégothon operation, organized from May 21 to 27.

An awareness campaign of unprecedented scale will be launched from June, with stands, eco-facilitators and mass distribution of pocket ashtrays at the most popular sites.