Should the state ban smoking on the beach?
March 23rd, 2009, 12:45 pm · · posted by Laylan Connelly, staff writer
A proposal on whether to ban smoking at state beaches and parks will be heard Tuesday during a hearing by the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee.
State and county beaches here in Orange County are the last to allow smoking on the sand, with all city beaches passing bans in the past few years. State beaches along the 42-miles of coastline include Bolsa Chica, Huntington State Beach, Corona del Mar, Crystal Cove, and San Clemente State Beach.
The hearing will take place at 9:30 a.m. in Sacramento.
Sen. Jenny Oropeza, D-Long Beach, introduced the smoking ban last December, saying 
the restrictions will protect the marine environment and reduce fire danger statewide, according to the press release.
The bill, called the “No Smoking at State Parks and Beaches Act,” would allow law enforcement to fine violators $250.
San Clemente was among the first cities in the state to pass the law in March 2004. Then like dominoes, other cities followed: Huntington Beach that August, Newport Beach the next month, and Laguna Beach about the same time. The Orange County Board of Supervisors also voted on the issue, but the law did not pass.
Those for the ban cite litter concerns, impacts on the environment and secondhand smoke.
Those who are against a ban worry about too much government control and infringing on people’s personal rights.
“Among the most important obligations of government is to safeguard its residents and be good stewards of our planet. I am hopeful fellow lawmakers will agree,” Oropeza stated in a news release.
Related links:
San Clemente looks to ban smoking at parks
San Diego looks at banning booze on the beach
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But…but…but…what are the smokers going to do to look cool?. LOL
Whatever. Smoking blows. It’s your right to do whatever you want, but it’s also my right to kick sand in your smoking face. BAN!!!
Yes, of course it should be banned on beaches. This is a no-brainer. Smokers are gross. Why do those disgusting people think they have a right to muck up the environment and fill the air with toxins that others have no choice but to breathe? Ugh. I wish Mission Viejo would ban smoking in all public places.
I think the state should ban the state. Start all over again and then we can come up with a solution to whatever ; even smoking.
In this day and age, with the studies, technology, and education available to people, why would anyone choose to smoke?
Just unbelievable.
Don’t forget outdoor patios! I want to be able to sit outside at my favorite restaurant and not breathe smoke. Smoke all you want in your car or house but as soon as you step out in public and bother me game over
you have the right to smoke, and I have the right to punch you in the mouth
It is ridiculous that the State Senate is even wasting their time with this matter. There are far more pressing and important issues at hand, That urgently need the attention of our lawmakers, We don’t need our tax dollars spent on something so trivial as this. Which of you people vote for these lawmakers, like Oropeza, and encourage these wasteful,, trivial bits of legislation ???
Its a tough one, here another “right” that someone wants to take away. I don’t smoke but I hate smoke in my face or smelling it and I cannot stand all the cigarette butts everywhere. It wouldn’t be so bad if smokers acted like people walking their dogs and picked up after their butts. pun intended
I do not smoke but I am against taking away individual rights. Most smokers I know are considerate and don’t blow smoke in close quarters.
I don’t smoke but I do believe people have the right to smoke, and that includes at the beach. People should be allowed to do what they want, and if that includes something that will eventually kill you, well that’s your right. It’s a wonderful thing living in America where you are free. Don’t judge smokers if you drink, eat fast food, feed your kids fast food, and do other sorts of unhealthy activities.
I don’t smoke but I also don’t think it’s my place to tell people how to live.
It is really a littering issue! Littering is illegal already! Smokers, please police yourselves, or you will be banished forever. Perhaps a ban on filter tipped cigarettes is in order, then the butts will biodegrade into the earth. While we’re at it, ban chewing gum. Who hasn’t stepped in some inconsiderate gum-chewer’s spat out chew??? Disgusting!
Land of the Free, eh Comrade?
Right on Matt!
Smoking in public should be banned. Smokers should wear a George Jetson like bubble over their heads to keep that vile smoke self contained.
Easy answer, ban smoking everywhere. Why should I have to give up clean air to breathe in because I have to share it with nasty smokers and their nasty habits
NO, NO,and NO,,,The state should stop banning things period.
You people better wake up///// the state is trying to take away your rights. There is another article today about the state banning large TVs. They will make every thing they do “SEEM” like a good idea but ultimately they are trying to control you.
When will it stop? I remember a time when we chose for ourselves without fear of penalties if we wore seat belts, helmets, and we didn’t have cameras taking our pictures while we drove through intersections. ENOUGH big brother involvemnet.
What a bunch of f^#()#g id$*&s;
Im going to smoke where I want, what I want, just like I always have.
Smoking is NOT illegal, only getting caught IS!
If your not smarter than the re#@&%s here that want to nanny your lives, maybe you don’t deserve to smoke.
Feel free to leave your butts in the sand. The birds will eat them.
Absolutely.
Nobody wants to smell that trash.
Hey if you want to smoke that’s fine, as long as it doesn’t bother anyone else.
I suggest climbing into a box and puff away.
While you’re at it, roll up your car window when you’re smoking or you’ll end up with a big green lugie on your forehead.
never ending fight for freedom… now you sound like genuine white trash, how about a lugie?
I have never smoked, and I think that people who throw their cigarette butts on the ground are absolutely piggish, however, it angers me more me to see how the nanny state continues to find excuses to erode our individual freedoms and gain control over our daily lives by training us to hate a particular habit or lifestyle through cradle to grave social conditioning.
Thank God our state budget is sound, illegal immigration is a non-issue, gangs are a distant memory, the drop out rate is miniscule, our taxes are low, the state is at full employment, and no one DUI’s anymore, allowing our legislators and bureaucrats to devote their precious time to key, important issues, such as this.
JohnAdams has it wrong. If I choose to participate in unhealthy activities like eating fast food and drinking it effects my health. If someone chooses to smoke it also effects my health – even though I am not the one who made the stupid choice.
Right after they ban the following…
-Wall Street Bonuses for poor performance bailout companies.
-Alcoholic Beverages in all bars and restaurants.
-Women from having babies who aren’t married.
-Motorcycles driving between lanes on freeways crowded freeways.
-Street Gangs.
-Health Insurance Companies.
I have a few hundred more things we need to ban as well, but you get the picture
Oh, BTW… I am not a smoker.
Being an “ex-smoker”, I can see both sides! Unfortunately, most smoker’s could care less about consideration…they flick their butt’s out the car window, and the same when on the beach…just stick it in the sand! It will find it’s way into the ocean! Yet, smoking has nothing to do with considerations, it’s up to the persons and how they approach life and many are simply inconsiderate and have no regards for their fellow man or the environment!
The State should ban all people at the beach and dogs everywhere.
First cigarettes will be banned, then food and drinks so people won’t litter, then…..
I don’t smoke, and maybe the state should ban smoking at the beach, in fact they should ban cigarettes…which means they will have to find another source of tax revenue. Right now, the state is considering prohibiting the sales of TVs over 40 inches. Of course that doesn’t sound so bad unless you are in the electronics business because Californians will start buying TVs over the internet…the tax dollars will go elsewhere.
One thing the state should never ever ban at the beach is broken beer bottles and soiled diapers buried in the sand. Those surprises are priceless.
yoyo, what kind of fn handle is that?
I’m a former smoker and the smell of smoke is horrible to me now. However, the beach is plenty big enough for smokers and non-smokers to coexist in peace. . .provided no one is acting like a jerk.
I’m totally against legislating away more rights. The last time I checked, smoking was still a legal activity. When we get rid of the last smoker, who will we go after next?
Personally, I’m far more disturbed by beach visitors leaving dirty diapers on the sand. Also, who are the people that throw their toilet paper on the floor next to the toilet?! Seriously, who in their right mind does that? So inconsiderate and disgusting. . .
BAN GOVERNMENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have the right to smoke. You have the right to punch me. I have the right to get infuriated and proceed to pulverize your face for it. Some people you don’t wanna mess with…like me.
Smoking is a right, California is still America’s largest smoking market, and you rejects in government are taking away rights that people have fought and died for. Screw you!
I’ll continue to smoke AND drink on the beach, throw my butts out the window on the freeway, etc etc. I really just dont care. I also dont care what this earth looks like in 10 or 100 years.
Honestly, why not smoke? The best parts of life end around 60 y.o. anyway, so why not go out like a rockstar? I’m 6 deep allready this evening and will continue to be every evening until the day I die, which should be around 60, meaning I lived a perfect peak life.
Stick that in your pipe and smoke it.
let em smoke…I am not a smoker, but I will be pissed if we keep passing these laws that let the government control our lives…this is crazy.
The secondhand smoke argument doesn’t work. Huntington beach is lined with fire rings, the cloud from them is really noxious and blows right onto the bike trail where all the walkers, joggers and bicyclists have to breathe it in. If secondhand smoke is the issue I’d ban those before smoking.
If they would only throw their butts elsewhere BUTT they won’t.
litterbug a$$hole
I thought this is country of the free, right? Communists do not even do this. I thought we just want to become socialists but I now realize that we want to be Taliban.
If it is about littering, then ban chewing gum and drinking as well.
If it is about bad for your health, then ban all meat and french fries.
If it is about polluting, ban all cars.
It does not take much to be Talibans, does it? Oh by the way, I do not think the Talibans even ban smoking like this. Therefore, if this thing passed and become law, then congratulations to all who are so proud of calling themselves the free except those whom they believe do not deserve freedom.
I’ve got to thinking. I do smoke once in a blue moon when I drink, so I do not feel I’m part of the smoking group but I do fear that our rights are being taken away little by little. So we all better be careful what we ask for. If you’re a smoker just be courteous to the people around you and don’t leave your butts in the sand. Keep our beaches beautiful!
What about the giant piles of treated lumber that they burn on the beaches every night?
Littering is already illegal and they can’t stop it, this is just one more restricton of our liberties.
What happened to the land of the free?
I hope they ban smoking in public everywhere!!! I am sick of smelling other people’s smoke!
Smokers just don’t get it.
Smoking is disgusting and is proven to be a major litter problem and to kill people. Ban it and increase the fine amount to 1K so that we can get out of this state budget crisis. Make the ban everywhere in public. People have no right to smoke in public at all.
There is no right to smoke ignorant people. Re-read the constitution.
There is a saying that says, You can always tell how many smokers have been to our state parks. That’s due to the butts they leave behind. It’s disgusting. The world is their ashtray.
I know some smokers will say not to judge them for the mistakes of a few, but the problem is, it’s NOT a few. Smokers don’t seem to get that throwing their butts on the ground IS littering. For sea animals and birds especially, those butts are deadly.
Please ban them from the beach!!!!
ban chewing gum as well then. look at how many people spit their gum onto the sidewalk…. those hard-to-remove black bumps you see on the sidewalk.
Chris Norby is an idiot.
Dude!
Get rid of the cig smokers and legalize the weed! Legalize and tax!
Humboldt County’s main crop/source of income is the green stuff.
Cigarette smoke KILLS!
yo to all you disgusting people addicted to cigarettes stoppp throwing your butts on the beach. if you werent so damn direspectful throwing your toxic cigs everywhere than you wouldnt be hearing about this. I dont understand anyone who is so selfcentered that they think the world is just their own personel ashtray. SMOKE HERB NOT FILTHY BUTTS!!!!!!
Time to ban the Nanny State of CA. Oh wait, I already am. I’m taking my business and my jobs with me to TX. On the smoking ban, the myth of second-hand smoke has already been disproven by scientists (don’t believe Al Gore) and it is especially not harmful in an open-air environment.
When this ridiculous state bans itself, or all the ignorant stupid people who vote for democrats are priced out and have to move to Nevada, I’ll come back. For now, giving up freedom after freedom to an obnoxious police state along with their high taxes just isn’t worth pretty views and nice weather.
San Diego is now saving hundreds of thousands of taxpayers’ dollars since our beaches are smoke-free. The beaches are cleaner and the tourists like it. All bus stops are smoke-free and the streets are noticeably cleaner. Getting rid of public smoking is a win for everybody. America is NOT one big ashtray created for the convenience of addicts.
Funny the way some posters still do not know that smoking is NOT a “right” under any law. It is just a personal habit, like picking your nose. Discharging your bodily wastes in the presence of others is disgusting and what you discharge from your nose in the form of smoke or gas is just as repulsive as solid wastes from your nose.
Smokers, keep your dirty personal habit to yourself in your own home and NOT on our beaches or our streets. Our beaches are NOT your toxic waste disposal sites. Spit on your own floor, dump your butts on your own carpet, leave our beaches clean for us all to enjoy.
I HATE smoke, and I feel that smokers are some of the dumbest, grossest, rudest, most inconsiderate people on earth! I hate the fact that we constantly need new laws and restrictions to keep the normal [majority] of people protected from the dolts, but this is one law that I’m all for. Ban smoking EVERYWHERE!!!! I’d be happy if smoking penalties were the financial equivalent of a DUI, including the jail time. And litter fines should be tripled if the litter is a butt.
Your survey needs an “The majority of beaches are now “no-smoking”, so smoking shouldn’t be banned from the few State beaches” option.
No sir. Punching someone in the mouth is assault and if you do, I will have you arrested.
Enough hypocrisy. Those of us who smoke pay the State for a Tax Stamp. This is our Permit to use the product as long as we do not smoke in your direction. Where are the anti-smoker’s tax stamps? I don’t think you have one. Our State Constitution protects the Right to Pursuit of Happiness and prohibits privileges granted to a class of people not granted on the same terms to all citizens. You’ve been sliding on thin ice with your ‘tax the smokers out of their habit for your unrelated programs and your free speech and your exclusive use of public lands and your bogus smoking-related costs which are paying for trauma centers and general uses’ long enough.
As for butts littering the sand, thirty years ago the government-provided ashtrays were removed from the beaches in order to discourage smoking. Do you think we should put our cigarettes out in the paper trash bins?
The majority of beaches are now no-smoking and oh so ‘family-friendly’. We have over thirteen miles of no-smoking, oh so family-friendly beaches in Los Angeles County alone. I think State Beaches should protect smoking, bonfires, dogs, clothing-optional sunbathing, hang gliding and any other unpopular activity, but the truth of it is that the bill’s author, State Senator Jenny Oropeza, is a cancer survivor. She wouldn’t be caught dead at a beach. Skin cancer, you know. Outlaw smoking so you can enjoy overexposure to skin cancer? Who are you kidding?
Get the fakirs out of government and preserve the few State areas remaining for the free and the possessors of tax stamps.
>butter Says:
>March 23rd, 2009 at 9:46 pm
>There is no right to smoke ignorant people. Re-read the constitution.
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Thank you for your support.
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http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html#Am9
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“Amendment 9 – Construction of Constitution. Ratified 12/15/1791.
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.”