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California Senate votes to ban smoking at the beach

June 1, 2016

cigsCalifornia state senators voted Tuesday to ban smoking at beaches and parks. The bill would also prohibit disposing of tobacco waste at state parks and state beaches. [LA Times]

Supporters of SB 1333 say the bill is necessary, not only for public health, but also to combat wildfires. Sen. Marty Block (D-San Diego), who introduced the bill, said many wildfires have been started by people tossing lighted cigarettes.

“If this measure prevents just one wildfire, it will save millions” of dollars, Block said.

The Democratic lawmaker also said cigarettes contain more than 164 toxic chemicals, and they are non-biodegradable and cause substantial trash issues at beaches and parks. SB 1333 applies to e-cigarettes and medical marijuana, as well traditional cigarettes.

Officials estimate it will cost up to $1.1 million to install 20 signs at each of California’s 280 state parks and beaches.

State senators voted 25-11 in favor of the bill. The legislation now moves on to the Assembly.

Last month, Gov. Jerry Brown signed a package of bills regulating tobacco use and e-cigarettes. The legislation included a bill that raised the legal smoking age from 18 to 21 and a bill that makes e-cigarettes regulated like traditional cigarettes.


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Could someone please drop a meteor on those liberal bastards in Sacto.


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“…the bill is necessary, not only for public health, but also to combat wildfires.”


Yeah, finally we’ll get all those wildfires that start on a beach under control. Wouldn’t an enforcement of EXISTING liter laws be better here? Or are we really becoming a National Socialist Paradise, where the self-appointed few must control the activities, thoughts, and actions of everyone else?


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Isoslo just another law to have on the books that gives government the right to find probable cause to harass citizens. Pretty soon they will be able to search anyone, anytime, anywhere for some stupid law that is only there to steal our freedom, because some of these laws are just an exercise in control. I am not a smoker, hate smoking, hate cigarettes, hate the smell, but I don’t choose to tell other how to live or what choices to make.

Good point about beach fires, pollution from freeways locked up, pesticides being blown all over the place; and the list could go on. Cigarette smoke is probably the least of pollution that will kill us all.


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So when people have bonfires in the firepits…thats not a fire hazard? I can burn all my wood but cant burn a joint? Oh thats right, my roach will burn down the county. Silly me


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WE CAN OPERATE OHVS , BOATS , HAVE FIRES ON THE BEACH , AT PARKS HAVE REFINERIES AT THE BEACH , BUT NO SMOKING CIGS ANOTHER REVENUE GENERATOR BROUGHT TO US BY PEOPLE WHO DONT SHOP WHERE WE SHOP, , DONT SIT ON BEACH , DO NOT BOAT , ETC ETC


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I hate cigarettes, I hate the smell, the discarded butts, and the connected health issues. I wish they were never invented..that’s how much I hate them. But I hate the heavy hand of government even more. Maybe the citizenry should become heavy handed towards government, it’s our government and they work for us. So I propose a new bill…if you are convicted of wrong doing while serving in public office you will be punished via the guillotine…of with their heads lol


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Government doesn’t serve the people any more.


Government is a slave of the public sector unions.


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Rambunctious, your proposed method will require a legal definition of “convicted of wrong doing.” Bruce slept repeatedly with his legislative assistant which resulted in her temporary reassignment which resulted in her name change which resulted in her returning to Bruce’s side. All the while Bruce was diligently “serving” in public office! What’s wrong with this picture?


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Another stupid law by the democrats that won’t be enforced and will just clutter up the legal system. But this is what elected representatives do just keep dreaming up laws that they can sell for their 24/7 reelection activity.


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Cigarette smoking is responsible for more than 480,000 deaths per year in the United States, including nearly 42,000 deaths resulting from secondhand smoke exposure. This is about one in five deaths annually, or 1,300 deaths every day….something to think about.


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The 42k deaths from second hand smoke is a lie.


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It’s a lie because… you said so? The 42k deaths per year figure is based on a well-documented scientific study by UCSF. A decade ago, the CDC independently came up with a figure of 49k deaths per year..


If you think it is a lie, then how many deaths do you think second hand smoke causes per year? Please be sure to let us know what research you are basing your figures on.


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Yeah, and human-caused climate change is supposedly well documented and it is a fabricated lie also.


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Do you have any scientific proof that it is a fabricated lie, or do you just believe that because your hillbilly knitting circle said it was a lie?


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Well, that’s just great. You and your ilk are the ones telling us we are all going to die unless we take drastic measures to stop killing the earth, and in the process completely destroy our freedoms and way of life. You r side has presented NO PROOF whatsoever that human’s are causing climate change…yet you say I am the one that is supposed to prove that it ISN’T happening?! We are so screwed.


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Lol The oil companies knew in the 70’s, even don trump is worried that climate change sea level rise will wash his Irish golf club into the north sea. “explicitly said the wall would need to be built to combat “global warming and its effects.” The golf course is located at Trump International Golf Links & Hotel Ireland, in County Clare.”


Perspicacious tell us about the chem trails? Perhaps the hollow earth?

Perhaps it’s not climate change but the “end times” brought on by the appearance of rainbow unicorns and nyan cat?


“People don’t think the universe be like it is, but it do.”


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The same scientists in the 70’s that said we need to be concerned about another ice age are telling us we are all going to melt now. Losers.


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A STUDY SHOULD BE DONE TO SEE IF SECOND SMOKE DEATHS ARE IN MAJOR CITIES OR RURAL AREAS , AS PEOPLE SIT IN TRAFFIC FOR 3-5 HOURS DAILY INHALING EXHAUST , WHILE WE ARE AT IT NO MORE FIREPLACES , NO ENERGY PLANTS NO MORE USING ASPHALT COVERING OUR EARTH WITH OILED ROCK WE WILL JUST SEE HOME EAT PINE NUTS AND DRINK RAINWATER


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The researchers in the UCSF study that came up with the 49,000 deaths per year statistic used serum cotinine — a biomarker which detects the chemical consequences of exposure to tobacco smoke in the bloodstream — to measure exposure to secondhand smoke. That measurement reflects secondhand exposure in all settings, not just home or work. Sitting in traffic and inhaling exhaust would not increase your level of serum cotinine.


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Hey, I like this one, I get tired of picking up cigarette butts instead of playing with my dogs. I’m also amazed at how far away a smoker can be and you can still smell it.


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I get tired of your stupid dogs running across my blankets and towels while we are trying to have a picnic. Also get tired of your dog’s turds everywhere.


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Correction, if I may: Most of the dogs are not stupid. However, the OWNERS of those out-of-control dogs are thoughtless, selfish, and irresponsible!


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I agree. thank you for pointing that out.


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There are a handful of beaches that allow dogs, but most do not, so you definitely have options if you want to avoid dogs running across your blankets and dropping turds on your head. Also, leashless dogs do not cause 49k deaths per year, but second hand smoke does, so it is not exactly a great comparison.


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