Chicago Fines Aim to Kick Smokers' Butts From Beach

Chicago will fine smokers who toss cigarette butts on the beach—or within 15 feet of one— up to $500. The new law is aimed at cutting the cost of cleaning up after smokers, who have been forced outside by smoking bans, reports the Chicago Tribune. Millions of tons of butts are cleared from beaches every year. 

The new law is a pick-me-up for volunteers who help clear beaches. "We pick them up sometimes by the handfuls," said one. "It's shocking to people who collect the data. You never look at a cigarette butt the same way again." (More Chicago stories.)