Madam, - That cigarette butts account for half of all litter items (The Irish Times, August 18th) should not come as a surprise given that over 750,000 people in the country are addicted to the nicotine in cigarettes.
It is well past time that the tobacco industry, the only significant beneficiary of the sale of cigarettes, should be asked to contribute to the elimination of the litter caused by its products.
A €1 levy could be introduced on each pack of 20 cigarettes (50 cent for a 10-pack) intended for sale on the Irish market. Whether the tobacco companies would wish to pass on this charge on to their addicted customers would be a matter for them.
The money gathered from such a levy could be used to assist cash-strapped local authorities properly to enforce anti-litter legislation and to help them purchase suitable equipment to clean up the mess caused by the careless disposal of cigarette butts. - Yours, etc.,
Dr FENTON HOWELL,
St Mary's Villas,
Drogheda,
Co Louth.