The National Assembly will today debate a proposal to charge a 5p levy on chewing gum to help pay for the cost of cleaning it up.
Assembly members have refused to let Conservative AM Darren Millar introduce legislation to levy a 5p charge on every packet of chewing gum sold in Wales. He wanted the money to be put towards clearing up gum that's dropped in the street.
But other AMs doubted that it was an appropriate use of the Assembly's law-making powers. The proposal was defeated by in the Senedd by 30 votes to 17.
AMs have rejected the idea of charging a 5pence levy on every pack of chewing gum sold in Wales. It was the levy would help local councils with the costs of cleaning up chewing gum after it is thrown on the pavement. David Wood has been looking at the issue.
The National Assembly will today debate a proposal to charge a 5p levy on chewing gum to help pay for the cost of cleaning it up.
It's been estimated that discarded chewing gum costs councils across the UK over £100m every year.
Carmarthen Council is cracking down on the problem and recently issued its first £75 fine. They say cleaning it up costs them £30,000 a year.
But confectionery firms and critics say it would unfairly punish consumers.