What is the Cigarette Litter Prevention Program (CLPP)?

The Cigarette Litter Prevention Program (CLPP) is one in Keep America Beautiful’s portfolio of programs. It is designed to support local community improvement initiatives for reducing cigarette butt litter. Get step-by-step instructions for implementing a program.

---

What are the program components?

An effective local CLPP includes four proven, field-tested solutions or strategies for reducing cigarette butt litter:

• Review local litter laws, including cigarette butt litter, and encourage enforcement.
• Educate the public using public services messages and advertising.
• Place ash receptacles at "transition points," places where smokers must stop smoking before proceeding.
• Distribute pocket ashtrays or portable auto ashtrays to adult smokers.
  

Learn more about how to implement these strategies

---

Who implements a CLPP locally?

The program is implemented by a local “Task Force” organized for that purpose. A task force is comprised of community leaders, businesses, elected officials, parks and recreation personnel, public works, department of transportation, residents, and others who have a stake in the areas where a Cigarette Litter Prevention Program can have an impact. Some members may be able to provide in-kind resources or funding for the program. Get help identifying task force members.

---

Where do I focus the program in my community?

Cigarette butt litter happens everywhere. It occurs in downtown areas, and it’s persistent at beaches, recreation areas, along roadways, and at local events. Find out more about program locations and venues.

---

What are “transition points”?

Transition points are areas where a smoker must extinguish a cigarette before proceeding, such as outside retail stores, hotels, office buildings, before entering beaches, parks or other recreation areas, and at roadside rest areas, parking lots, bus shelters, and train platforms. Most cigarette butt littering happens at these areas.

---

How do I assess the cigarette butt litter problem in my community?

An easy, proven tool to quantify cigarette butt litter in a small area of the community is Keep America Beautiful’s Cigarette Litter Scan [link to updated scan; to come]. Scans can be conducted in a downtown, park or recreation area, beach or other waterfront, roadways or highways, and even at special event locations. Results from the scans can help direct program resources and assess impact after start of a Cigarette Litter Prevention Program. Results may also help attract more funding for the program.

---

How do I sustain the program?

To ensure the Cigarette Litter Prevention Program becomes part of your community’s ongoing improvement activities, meet regularly with the local program task force. Ensure the long-term maintenance of ash receptacles is in place, and keep the message in front of the public. Create an annual education or outreach program to the community around cigarette butt litter prevention. Consider a biannual or quarterly cigarette butt litter count, initiate a regular education push, or work with the media to keep the issue on the front burner.