A COUNCIL is planning to spend £2,400 on ashtrays with anti-smoking messages on.

The 2,000 ashtrays are designed o help enforce the new Government legislation when it becomes law in July.

The move, by Easington District Council in County Durham, has been criticised as a waste of taxpayers money.

The pro-smoking lobby said spending on enforcement measures is a waste of taxpayers' money and would be better spent on the NHS and schools.

But a council spokesman said: "Ashtrays are just one example of the many activities we may consider to promote the anti-smoking message to the people we want to target most - smokers themselves.

"They may also be used to address issues such as smoke-related litter and promotes the aims of the Pride in Easington Campaign."

The council is also considering appointing a Smoke Free Enforcement Officer, to help stop people flouting the impending ban on lighting up in public.

The post will be funded from the £57,000 it had been given by the Government as part of a £29m national fund for enforcement measures.

The new East Durham smoking tsar will have powers to issue £50 on-the-spot fines and take premises which flout the law to court.

But the council said the officer would also be working with individuals and 2,200 businesses likely to be affected by the changes, to educate them about the reasons for the ban and the consequences of passive smoking.

A spokesman said: "The officer will work with businesses in advance of July 1, to advise them on implementing the new laws and will continue to support them following the introduction of the legislation."

Pro-smoking pressure group Forest criticised the huge national outlay on the scheme.

"We've learned from Ireland and Scotland that their bans are mostly self-regulated, and the publicans themselves will want to police it because the don't want to lose their licence." said spokesman, Simon Clark.

4:39pm Monday 19th March 2007

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