A new vacuum cleaner aimed at ridding Dublin's Temple Bar of cigarette butts was unveiled today by local traders and the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government Dick Roche.
The 'Fag-Vac' was developed by a German company at the request of TASCQ (Traders in the Area Supporting the Cultural Quarter) after the implementation of the smoking ban in 2003 contributed to a severe litter problem in the area.
The machine will be tested in Temple Bar throughout the month of October and its effectiveness will be monitored by An Taisce.
In a study conducted over the last 12 months by An Taisce and TASCQ it was found that cigarette litter was the largest single source of rubbish on the streets, accounting for nearly 40 per cent.
Mr Roche today described the 'Fag-Vac' as an "innovative and imaginative solution to the problem of cigarette litter.
"It will help make Temple Bar's cobbled streets a more pleasant place for residents, local businesses and of course, tourists, for whom this area is often the first port of call in Dublin," he added.
Martin Harte, ceo of TASCQ, said that it would be preferable if patrons disposed of their cigarette litter appropriately but that the new device was at least a "positive fight back."
Mr Roche added that Temple Bar traders were setting an example to communities nationwide.
"This new 'Fag-Vac' is a clear illustration of the positive spirit of the Temple Bar traders that can be held up to other urban locations in Ireland as an example of how to tackle the insidious problem of cigarette litter head on," he said.