The Iowa City Downtown District will take part in a program this year to reduce the effect of cigarette-butt litter.

According to a press release, cigarette butts are the most-littered item in America.

The Keep America Beautiful Cigarette Litter Prevention Program addresses the issue through four approaches including enforcement of litter laws, raising awareness through public-service messages, placing ash receptacles around town, and handing out pocket ashtrays to adult smokers, the release said.

The district received a $1,000 grant from the program to purchase ash receptacles for a few areas downtown that are currently missing containers. It has also received 600 pocket ashtrays that will be distributed at outdoor events this summer and in the Downtown District office.