You can now be fined $500 for tossing a cigarette butt in Vancouver

While they are a “huge hazard,” fires caused by carelessly discarded burning materials are “100% preventable,” said Vancouver Fire Captain, Jonathan Gormick.

And it’s for this reason that he hopes new fines now in effect will be a deterrent for anyone that does so.

From now on, those who throw away still-burning materials like cigarettes can be fined $500 by fire prevention officers or police officers.

“The person would have to be caught in the act,” Gormick told Daily Hive. “We’re hoping the fine is more of a deterrent than a punitive measure.”

But from what officers have seen in places like Stanley Park in the past couple of summers, “those who toss smoking materials aren’t always discreet,” added Gormick.