Anti-litter group seeks action against chewing-gum problem

The Irish Business Against Litter group is seeking Government action to tackle the problem of chewing gum on Ireland's streets.

The organisation, which is due to announce its choice of Ireland's cleanest town today, said the litter situation was generally improving countrywide, but the amount of chewing gum on the streets was actually increasing.

The Government had planned a number of years ago to introduce a plastic-bag-style levy on chewing gum in an effort to combat the problem, but it abandoned the move following lobbying from US Ambassador James Kenny on behalf of the Wrigleys corporation.