About 55,100 fixed penalties on public cleanliness have been issued since the fine rose to $1,500 in June 2003, seeing $81.5 million in fines. Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Dr York Chow said 16% involved the elderly.

Community service orders can be imposed on people convicted of a littering offence, excluding spitting, unauthorised display of bills or posters, and dog fouling. However, the Government does not have the power to direct an offender to serve a community service order in lieu of the fixed penalty.

An offender can ask the department concerned to arrange a court hearing of the case if there are disputes. If the offender is convicted, the court will impose the sentence it deems most appropriate - a fine, prison or a community service order.