At the upscale hotel where I work part time as a billing clerk, the hotel stipulates on the registration form that if "smoking is found to have occurred", there will be a $200 surcharge. As these billings are paid by corporations rather than individuals, I have no doubt but that the corporations would pony up.

However, there *is* a problem in the non-smoking rule that perhaps not too many foresaw. The mess.

Maybe in the UK all people, smokers included, are thoughtful and neat and clean. Not so in Juneau, Alaska.

The sidewalks (pavements) in front of not just the bars (pubs) but nearby shops every morning are littered with cigarette butts, the occasional empty beer can or bottle (nevermind that drinking outside is strictly verboten), empty cigarette packs and other scraps of paper and bits of traxh.

Bar keeps are out there every morning, sweeping and picking up, hosing off the concrete. This morning as I passed by with my little dog, a shop keeper warned me to swing wide, that there was 'barf' everywhere.

The city has installed metal containers on each of the trash bins on the sidewalks but they are obviously not being properly utilized.

Is there an answer? I feel like writing a letter to the local newspaper suggesting that those of us who are grateful for the smoke-free public places might wish to show up with the occasional broom just to help.