Signs discourage butt flick

Photo: Contributed

The City of West Kelowna hopes other municipalities up and down the valley will. join it in discouraging the tossing of cigarette butts from moving vehicles.

The city this week agreed to erect six signs at key locations on city property discouraging the practice, and warning violators "will be prosecuted."

The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure will also place similar signs on provincial property around the Okanagan.

"You see it all the time on the highway, and I see it on Westside Road," said Mayor Doug Findlater.

"That's a scary place because it's very much a place where fires get started."

West Kelowna chief administrative officer Jim Zaffino introduced the item. He said it started after he saw someone flick a butt late one night after a council meeting.

Other municipalities are being encouraged to do the same.

Fines of $500 can be imposed, however, Zaffino says that will increase to $1,000.