Tougher penalties on littering and spitting may be imposed from June 26, under a new proposal.

Speaking in the Legislative Council today, Health, Welfare & Food Bureau Deputy Secretary Eddy Chan said the bureau will submit a proposal to increase the fixed penalty for these offences from $600 to $1,500 on June 18. If passed, the new penalty will be effective from June 26.

Food & Environmental Hygiene Department Director Gregory Leung said as the public is generally unhappy with spitting and littering, enforcement can be easier with more promotion and publicity.

He said there have been five recent cases of spitting, costing the offenders $3,000 each in fines. He said the public agrees the penalty should be increases.

The department will provide more training, walkie-talkies and mobile phones to frontline staff, to ensure they are better prepared to handle unco-operative offenders, and can call Police if needed.

The department has issued 15,000 penalty invoices since June last year. Ten frontline staff were attacked during enforcement.