https://www.reddit.com/r/geneva/comments/1j739xr/cigarette_butt_fine/
created by Mammoth-Wishbone-718 on 09/03/2025 at 08:29 UTC
22 upvotes, 16 top-level comments (showing 16)
Hello fellow Genevans!
I have a quick question - a friend visited me over the weekend, and stayed with me in the apartment that I sublease. She smokes, I don't. While I was away from the house, she was smoking by the window and absentmindedly threw out the cigarette butt into the common/open area shared between the apartments forming the block (my apartment does not face the road). Apparently a neighbor from the apartment across ours, saw her and yelled a comment, likely reprimanding her - and rightly so (my friend doesn't speak French so she didn't understand, but sensed the tone). I told her off for littering, it costs her nothing to throw the butt in the trash, and she felt really bad. We tried to access this common space to collect it, but the door was locked and I don't have the key as I am subleasing the place temporarily.
My question is, could the neighbor call the police? How would a fine work considering my friend has already left the country? Is it possible for them to fine the occupants of the apartment in general, and not the individual person? And how much would this fine be?
Thanks in advance.
Comment by Gokudomatic at 09/03/2025 at 08:43 UTC
52 upvotes, 2 direct replies
I can already see many comments coming to tell how horrible and intolerant that neighbor is, but I understand why the yelling. It always starts small like the litter of a cig butt, and it ends with a huge mess. Keeping a place clean is a chore, and the more you wait to clean, the harder it is, which is even more discouraging.
Thus, I don't think that the neighbor would call the police, rather they only wanted to make things straight from the beginning. It's harsh, yes, but it can avoid a big lot of troubles later.
Comment by TheRealDji at 09/03/2025 at 09:36 UTC
7 upvotes, 0 direct replies
La police pourrait mettre une contravention si l'abandon de déchet avait eu lieu sur la voie publique, ce qui n'est pas le cas : Une court intérieur d'immeuble est très certainement une parcelle privée.
Mais j'en profite pour un petit moment pédagogique : Dans le canton, la quasi totalité des grilles d'eau dans la rue, sont reliées au réseau d'eau claire qui se déverse dans le cours d'eau (même canalisé de manière souterraine en ville) le plus proche et qui finit par se jeter dans le rhone, l'arve, ou le lac.... donc n'y jeter pas vos mégots non plus (ni, surtout, les eaux de nettoyage et autres produits chimiques), car cela contribue à polluer les cours d'eau.
Comment by Shraaap at 09/03/2025 at 08:42 UTC
11 upvotes, 3 direct replies
The swiss love to call the police on people for things like this so yes it's possible, and the fine would go to the flat from where the offence occurred regardless of who actually littered.
Don't sweat it though, she most likely didn't call the police, so no need to worry about it.
Comment by meme_squeeze at 09/03/2025 at 09:33 UTC
7 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Can they call the police? Yes.
Will they? Unlikely.
Can the police do anything? Not without evidence.
Should you go over to the neighbour, explain that it was a guest, not you, and you are equally shocked by the act? Yeah, probably.
Why would you even let her smoke inside your appartment if you're a non-smoker? That's so disgusting.
Comment by bungholio99 at 09/03/2025 at 08:51 UTC
2 upvotes, 2 direct replies
Nothing to worry, but yes don’t do it again don’t throw a butt anywhere at anytime
Comment by KalvinMike at 09/03/2025 at 12:19 UTC
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
The neighbour can contact the « régie », they would send you a warning letter
Comment by Fred_Milkereit at 09/03/2025 at 10:10 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
dont go to Singapore
https://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyle/singapore-smoker-fined-15000-for-throwing-butts-out-of-window-idUSKBN0KV0PE/[1][2]
Comment by Rare_Ad_3314 at 09/03/2025 at 14:42 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I assume that the neighbor is not the owner of the property. when the place where she threw the cigarette butt away is on private property, police can't do anything with only the claim of your neighbor. Nevertheless your friend should throw the cigarette butt in garbage.
Comment by IronPump13 at 09/03/2025 at 20:55 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Silly
Comment by LightQueasy895 at 10/03/2025 at 11:44 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Yeap,
Expect a high fee coming to your apartment, with your name, of course.
Comment by pbuilder at 09/03/2025 at 09:05 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Whatever the result, tell her that you were fined. Send Serafe invoice as a proof if asked. Let it be on top of her mind when smoking whole life.
Comment by Massive-K at 09/03/2025 at 11:16 UTC
2 upvotes, 2 direct replies
You people should go and litter your own countries...
An offense is an offense.
Comment by SwissTrading at 09/03/2025 at 09:31 UTC
0 upvotes, 1 direct replies
You could tell the neighbors to shhhhh up unless he is the concierge at the same time …
Regarding the cigy, your friend got her warning already, done
0 can be done through police for this
Comment by Shraaap at 09/03/2025 at 09:03 UTC
-1 upvotes, 2 direct replies
Yes, it would come via post. I think littering fines can go up to chf300, but I have no idea how much this particular type of littering could cost.
I really wouldn't worry about it though, she most likely didn't report your friend.
Comment by christrayk at 09/03/2025 at 11:55 UTC
-1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Friend from eastern Europe 😁?
Comment by [deleted] at 09/03/2025 at 08:43 UTC
-3 upvotes, 2 direct replies
of course swiss people are very strict and assume that she called a police or municipality. That goes on your record so next time be careful