'Neat Streets' Initiative Launched by Mayor to Reduce Litter

A cleaner Boston, one cigarette butt at a time.

Bostonians will soon see rectangular red boxes, or cigarette butt receptacles, scattered throughout the city.

They are part of an initiative called “Neat Streets,” that was launched on Wednesday by Mayor Martin J. Walsh to encourage residents and visitors who smoke cigarettes to litter less.

“Boston is a beautiful city, but to keep it that way we must all do our part to keep our streets clean,” said Mayor Walsh in statement.

“This smart and innovative effort incorporates a public polling process to engage our residents and visitors in protecting our environment,” he added.

More than 16% of adults in the state are cigarette smokers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The idea for the public installations came from a similar initiative in London, which prompts smokers to dispose their cigarette in a slot on a board by voting for the question being posed at the top of the board.

“Neat Streets“ will be installed by the end of February.

Here are some tips from Health and Human Services on how to quit smoking.