Smokers urged to stop littering downtown - or face a fine

Cigarette smokers, be warned: If you smoke in downtown Green Bay, you flick that butt at your own risk. City and business leaders announced Tuesday they are cracking down on cigarette butt littering with a $2,000 grant from the Keep America Beautiful organization. The “Don’t Flick It” campaign will include installation of new outdoor ashtrays and distribution of 800 pocket-sized receptacles at downtown businesses and events.

For those who still use the sidewalk, the city is planning increased enforcement of Green Bay’s littering ordinance, which carries a possible fine of $500 for each violation. Mayor Jim Schmitt said he would talk with police officials about the best way to address the issue, including possibly citing some offenders. The ultimate goal, Schmitt said, is to reduce the number of people who smoke at all. “Those who do smoke,” he added, “just don’t seem to pick up after themselves.”

The mayor joined Downtown Green Bay Inc. officials in announcing the “Don’t Flick It” effort outside Brewbaker’s Pub, 209 N. Washington St., in the entertainment district being targeted. The eight-week campaign will be focused on the 100 and 200 blocks of Washington — an area populated by taverns and other nightspots.

Jeff Mirkes, executive director of Downtown Green Bay Inc., a business coalition, said his organization canvassed the area earlier this summer and counted 2,000 discarded cigarette butts. “It is clear that we have work to do,” Mirkes said. Wisconsin implemented in July 2010 a statewide ban on smoking in most indoor workplaces. That measure prompted many taverns and restaurants to establish outdoor smoking areas, stirring concerns about cigarette butt littering among some Green Bay business leaders.

The ban also prohibits smoking outside workplace entrances, although it does not specify how far away smokers should be. A Green Bay alderman recently proposed banning smoking on all public property in the city, including sidewalks. Other aldermen rejected the idea, however, and instead are considering a measure that would prohibit smoking only on the City Hall property, 100 N. Jefferson St.