A netizen shared a story on Xiaohongshu recently, describing how they were fined HK$3000 for discarding a cigarette butt in Tsim Sha Tsui. The post, which included a photo of the fine issued at 3:45 a.m. on Oct. 2, drew numerous comments from other users.
Many commenters supported strict enforcement, viewing fines as an effective way to improve public manners. "Isn't it common sense not to litter? Especially cigarette butts, fines are the most effective teaching method," one commented.
Others emphasized the lesson taught by such penalties: "The more you tolerate, the more people will take advantage...you punish one and it deters another," and "HK$3000 for a single cigarette, how does that feel?"
Some users expressed a desire for mainland China to adopt similar regulations, "The mainland should learn from this and impose a fine of RMB2000 for littering," said a user of Xiaohongshu.
The increased fines are part of the "Bills Committee on Fines and Fixed Penalties (Public Cleanliness and Obstruction) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2023," which was passed last year by the Legislative Council, doubling the penalty for littering to HK$3000.
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