Tenerife drivers face €500 fine and 6‑point penalty for throwing cigarette butts

Spain’s traffic authority, the Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT), warned drivers that discarding cigarette butts from vehicle windows can trigger serious fire hazards, especially during the summer months. The agency announced that anyone caught throwing a butt will be fined €500 and lose six points on their driving licence. The regulation also covers the act of smoking while driving. Authorities stress that such litter can spark wildfires, and penalties may increase dramatically if a discarded butt leads to a forest fire, potentially resulting in higher fines or criminal charges. The DGT’s campaign targets drivers in Tenerife and aims to improve road safety and protect the environment.

The measure is part of broader efforts to enforce traffic safety rules and prevent avoidable accidents caused by careless behaviour on the road.