Parisian smokers who flick cigarette stubs on the pavement will face 68-euro fines in an effort for city officials to combat the 350 tons of cigarettes discarded each year. The fine initially was 32 euros but was lifted on Thursday. The ban on smoking was extended to include bars and restaurants in 2008.
Paris city authorities say that the “toxic substances (in cigarettes) are harmful to surrounding flora and fauna, and when swept or thrown into gutters they also pollute the water.”

The World Health Organization has warned of the dangers caused by smoking with many people smoking in the EU. In France alone, 73,000 people die from tobacco-related deaths each year. Spain and Greece have the highest rates of smoking in the EU, says WHO.