Pubs and restaurants are among the businesses that could be confronted with fines after the introduction of the smoking ban if cigarette butts are discarded on the floor outside their premises.
According to the Evening Standard, such small businesses could be subject to a fine of £110 for not providing the relevant bins for smokers to dispose of their cigarette butts, or if they fail to clean them up.
The individual themselves could face a fine of £80.
"It's an offence to drop litter of any sort, including cigarette ends," said local environment minister Ben Bradshaw, according to the newspaper.
"As July 1st approaches, businesses should be preparing to deal with the impact their customers have on the area around their premises because the penalties could apply to them too."
Mr Bradshaw added that people should not have to "tolerate this anti-social behaviour" when the smoking ban kicks in.
England is currently preparing to go smoke free from July 1st, with businesses being required to take steps such as installing no smoking signs and removing indoor smoking rooms to comply with the new laws.
