What is the real purpose of the environmental officers employed by Basildon Council other than to penalise smokers?

I was given a caution and a £50 fine for dropping a cigarette end in the town centre. This apparently is a criminal offence.

While in the process of issuing me with the fine, a younger male threw litter to the ground in front of the officers.

One walked over to the man and asked him if he would pick his litter up and place it in one of the bins provided. The man picked up his litter and walked away scott free.

Is this yet another campaign to blatantly target only smokers? I am not disputing I was in the wrong, but is it one rule for one and one rule for another?

I hope with all the extra revenue Basildon Council is collecting from us smokers that it puts it to good use – like paying for the gritting of pavements and roads which have been lethal in the recent icy weather.

Mrs S Earnshaw
Southview Road
Basildon