Santa Monica Bans Smoking on Beaches [03/24-3]

Excerpts from: Santa Monica bans smoking on beaches

Monterey Herald.com [03/24/04]

The City Council voted late Tuesday to make Santa Monica the third and largest California community to ban smoking on its beaches.

The council heard arguments for several hours from residents, business owners and others before voting 4-2 for the ordinance, which would also prohibit smoking on the city's pier except in designated, nonflammable smoking areas. The city also banned smoking at bus stops.

Mayor Richard Bloom said the ban would boost public health, reduce the risk of fire on the wood pier, and cut down on pollution.

Los Angeles City Councilman Jack Weiss said at the meeting that a committee for his council will hear a similar proposal April 6.

"We're going to end up with this historic 13-mile stretch of coastline where smoking will not be permitted on the beach," said Weiss, who said he hoped twin bans across the two cities would send "shockwaves" through the state. "We're going to start the process of changing peoples' attitudes about where its acceptable to smoke."

In Orange County last week, the San Clemente City Council voted 3-2 for a beach smoking ban. Solana Beach in San Diego County made its beaches smoke-free in October.

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