Investigate local litter laws. Does one exist? Does it include cigarette litter? Is it enforced? Are businesses required to keep the area in front of their building clean? Determine a strategy for action based on answers to these questions.

Complete cigarette litter scans. Use an easy, proven tool to quantify cigarette litter in a small area of the community. Results from the scans can help direct program resources and assess impact after start of a Cigarette Litter Prevention Program. Get Keep America Beautiful’s Cigarette Litter Scan.

Budget and gather resources. To understand program costs, start with this sample budget.

Use scan information to identify transition points for new ash receptacles or to move existing ones. When ordering ash receptacles, budget for their installation and maintenance, and consider any street furniture or streetscape ordinances.

Local litter laws and placement of new ash receptacles can help guide public education messaging and how and where pocket ashtrays are distributed. Select media that reaches your target audience and gives you maximum bang for your buck.