KCBA - Monterey, Salinas, Santa Cruz - News Weather-Proposed Smoking Ban in All CA State Parks And Beaches
Member Center:
03/25/09
SACRAMENTO - The State Senate is considering a Bill that would make smoking illegal at State Parks and State Beaches.
The Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee approved the plan on Tuesday.
It's called Senate Bill 4, and it's proposed by Long Beach Senator Jenny Oropeza.
The Bill would hit smokers with a $250 fine for smoking at State Parks and Beaches.
The Environmental Protection Agency has determined that cigarette butts are the most frequently found marine debris in the U.S.
The Democratic Senator says eliminating smoking at 279 parks and 64 beaches would cut litter and reduce the threat of forest fires.
Smokers on the Central Coast are not too happy about the proposed Law.
They believe they should be able to smoke in open spaces as long as they're responsible about it.
Sponsors of the proposed Bill argue it's a matter of what's best for the environment.
David Lerma, a Camper and Smoker, says, "I mean it is offensive, you know you're sitting down to eat and to have somebody light up a cigar or a cigarette next to you, but out in the open in the air, I think it's ridiculous."
Michael Navarro, a Camper and Non-Smoker, says, "Unless it's regulated and controlled, to me it's kind of a filthy habit, but you know everybody has choices and I guess it takes the irresponsible ones that ruin it for the responsible ones."
Some Lawmakers have expressed concern about the Ban.
They say the State Parks Department doesn't have enough personnel to enforce a smoking ban.
Plus, they say the Bill's $250 fine is too much.
Senator Oropeza says she may consider reducing the fine as the Bill moves through the Legislature.
The Bill now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
A similar Bill, authored by Senator Oropeza, was killed in Committee last year.
