Dubai Drivers to Be Fined Dh1,000 for Tossing Cigarette Butts

Dubai drivers who smoke in their cars will now need to be extra careful not to fling their cigarette butts out onto the street. In an effort to combat loutish driving behaviour, the Dubai police will be handing out hefty fines if they catch you.

Starting from July 1^st, the fine will be increased from Dh500 to Dh1,000. This also comes with a penalty of six black points on the driver’s licence.

SEE ALSO: Keep It Clean - Fines in Dubai

Anyone also caught throwing out cigarette butts in public can be given the same fine for littering.

Many drivers would argue that it’s too much of a minor offence to be stopped over, but that’s because they don’t realise how much of an issue it is. The Dubai Municipality has recently cleaned up 30kg of cigarette waste from Sheikh Zayed Road in one day only.  

Smoking and cigarette butts have significant negative impacts on the environment. Cigarettes flung from car windows could also cause fires that are sometimes seen on the roads. 

Cleaning efforts

The waste management department recently obtained 40 new devices meant to gather cigarette butts along with other small-sized waste from the roads and public spaces. They will be especially useful for cleaning corners that are hard to reach through traditional cleaning. 

This new equipment will be part of a system that deals with cleaning up public waste in the streets, metros and green spaces. It will help save time and effort for cleaners, making the process a lot more efficient.