Those who throw cigarette butts on the ground in Bolu will face a record fine
In Bolu, the administrative fine for throwing cigarette butts or litter on the ground has been increased to 152 thousand 895 Turkish Liras. The municipality is also preparing to completely ban smoking in children's playgrounds.
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Bolu Municipality has taken a significant step against those who threaten cleanliness in the city center with a new regulation. With the decision taken at the latest Municipal Council meeting, the inspection powers of the Municipal Police Department were increased and the relevant regulation was updated. From now on, those who throw trash or cigarette butts on the ground will face a high fine of 152 thousand 895 TL. This amount represents a remarkable increase compared to the 14 thousand TL fine applied in the previous period.
This practice, announced within the scope of the new Order and Prohibitions Regulation, aims to protect public order as well as urban aesthetics in Bolu. A solution to the problem of cigarette butts and litter, which is frequently seen especially in the city center, is being sought through criminal sanctions. Municipal Police teams will act with full authority during inspections.
In the statement made by Bolu Municipality, it was emphasized that all kinds of behavior that harms environmental cleanliness are being prevented with these heavy sanctions.
SMOKING IS COMPLETELY BANNED IN CHILDREN'S PLAYGROUNDS
Mayor Tanju Özcan announced in his speech at the municipal council that they would completely ban smoking in children's playgrounds. Özcan stated, "We are bringing it to the budget as a motion. We say let's completely ban smoking in areas where children's playgrounds are located, in areas where children's play groups are located. We are proposing to our municipal police to issue fines at the maximum limit allowed by law regarding this. For those who say 'start with yourselves,' we are also bringing a motion to the budget that if a municipal employee is the one polluting the environment, spitting on the ground, throwing trash on the ground, throwing cigarette butts next to a children's playground, or smoking, one net salary will be deducted as a fine," he said.
How effective the new practice will be in Bolu will be closely monitored; officials believe that the decision is an important step toward creating a clean and healthy environment in the city.