Non-Smoking Beaches

**coach** · 07-10-2011, 04:51 PM

I really think it is time for this. While I really do not care if you smoke yourself into oblivion, your right to do stupid stuff should not impinge on my right to enjoy my environment. Going to the beach for a nice relaxing afternoon and being assaulted by the stink of cigarettes just is not right.

I mean, we already outlaw loud music because it is noise pollution. Why can we not outlaw this air pollution?

What do you think?

**laurab** · 07-10-2011, 05:24 PM

that and digging your heels into the sand, only to uncover Cig butts is not that nice.

and people who go on beer binges late night at the beach and then leave all their bottles and other random crap out there should be majorly ticketed or have to conduct a LOT of hours of public service cleaning up the beach. I was at Key Biscayne and there was this little dump pile of glass corona bottles not 40 feet from a dumpster. What jerks!

**Christy** · 07-10-2011, 05:42 PM

Forget the no smoking on the beach proposal, we need a "no putting your blanket/setting up camp with a tent and your screaming kid" law...allow at least 7 feet. Cute guys may set up within 3 feet of my towel.

And speaking of fines, they should also apply to people who kick sand on you.

**Blackford Oakes** · 07-10-2011, 05:43 PM

It's really a tiring and taxing subject.

To begin with, our kids can't play dodge ball at recess. I played suicide ball at grammer school and am a better person for it, Nothing better to prepare you for the barbaric reality of life.

We now have a dictum from government that chocolate milk is a sin. Don't even mention french fries,unless you're a 1st lady fattening her ass on this this shit on a tax funded trip to Africa.

If this sensitivity bs continues, I'm' moving to Cambodia were I can get a blow job and smoke at the same time for a buck and 99cts.

**Maria de los Angeles** · 07-10-2011, 05:46 PM

We've discussed this on the forums before. I'm all for non-smoking beaches but it would be kind of hard to enforce and then it would be impossible to clean up the cigarette butts that are already there.

Coach, is their a ban on boom boxes on Miami Beach beaches? It doesn't seem to be enforced.

Anyway, all the more reasons to avoid the crowded beaches. I just don't go to them.

**Matt Meltzer** · 07-10-2011, 07:36 PM

I'm actually against it. I don't smoke, but call me weird I really don't mind the smell. Almost like it sometimes. And it adds to the party atmosphere if you have the option to smoke. And, really, this is America so I actually have serious issues with all the anti-smoking paranoia. I get it in confined spaces, second hand smoke and whatnot. But in an open environment, let em burn.

Now, littering on the other hand. THAT should be a serious fine.

**Carlos Miller** · 07-10-2011, 08:16 PM

I don't smoke, I hate the smell of it, but I don't think they should ban it from the beach.

I was sitting in a city council meeting a few months back and they were discussing this because one council member introduced it, but others opposed it and I have no idea where it's at now.

People come down here to party and let loose. They should be allowed to smoke on the beach.

**Sunseeker** · 07-11-2011, 01:13 AM

Originally Posted by Christy

Forget the no smoking on the beach proposal, we need a "no putting your blanket/setting up camp with a tent and your screaming kid" law...allow at least 7 feet..

Lol! I will second that law!!! 7 feet is not far enough though,,,

**Jess** · 07-11-2011, 10:11 AM

The beach is open space, if someone is smoking near you, then move. There is plenty of fresh air to be had. Cigarette smoke doesn't bother me as much as cigar smoke does.

**Christy** · 07-11-2011, 10:18 AM

Yes, cigar smoke is disgusting!! That should be banned at the beach as well as restaurants. When I was a hostess I hated the smell. Worst part of that job!

**Catt** · 07-11-2011, 10:49 AM

i dunno ..... my take on it is --- sorry folks, you cannot legislate away every little thing that you dislike......

when it's out in open air public space, smokers, families with loud kids, and everyone else has the same rights and freedoms that we all do..... those who don't like them can't just 'ban' them away....

**coach** · 07-11-2011, 12:41 PM

Originally Posted by Under the Sun

It's really a tiring and taxing subject.

To begin with, our kids can't play dodge ball at recess. I played suicide ball at grammer school and am a better person for it, Nothing better to prepare you for the barbaric reality of life.

We now have a dictum from government that chocolate milk is a sin. Don't even mention french fries,unless you're a 1st lady fattening her ass on this this shit on a tax funded trip to Africa.

If this sensitivity bs continues, I'm' moving to Cambodia were I can get a blow job and smoke at the same time for a buck and 99cts.

As I mentioned above, if you would read carefully, I really do not give a flying fark if you kill yourself (and, I mean "you", in general, not "you" specifically). HOWEVER, your smoking impinges upon MY enjoyment of the environment, and THAT is not freedom is NOT covered by the constitution.

**coach** · 07-11-2011, 12:43 PM

Originally Posted by Jess

The beach is open space, if someone is smoking near you, then move. There is plenty of fresh air to be had. Cigarette smoke doesn't bother me as much as cigar smoke does.

I'm sorry, but this is bullshit. If they are smoking, THEY should move. Actually, I would support creating a smoking area on the beaches.

**Blackford Oakes** · 07-11-2011, 12:53 PM

Originally Posted by coach

As I mentioned above, if you would read carefully, I really do not give a flying fark if you kill yourself. HOWEVER, your smoking impinges upon MY enjoyment of the environment, and THAT is not freedom is NOT covered by the constitution.

I would have thought you would have wished me a long prosperous life.

Hoping your golden locks gracefully turn gray as we wither into the sunset.

What part of the Constitution are you referring to ? The best defense against smoking I ever heard of was the possibility of a Dolphin choking on a cig butt.

All I can say is I wish I didn't smoke. Not even my wife's threatening Lysistrada tactics have helped. Hopefully one day.

**coach** · 07-11-2011, 12:53 PM

Originally Posted by Maria de los Angeles

We've discussed this on the forums before. I'm all for non-smoking beaches but it would be kind of hard to enforce and then it would be impossible to clean up the cigarette butts that are already there.

Coach, is their a ban on boom boxes on Miami Beach beaches? It doesn't seem to be enforced.

Anyway, all the more reasons to avoid the crowded beaches. I just don't go to them.

Yes, there is a ban on loud music. And I have seen it enforced. Personally, I'd rather have that than smoke.

And again, your last statement is wrong. We are allowing the jackasses to rule our lives. That's not right. Make THEM go somewhere else, if they are going to be annoying.

**Jess** · 07-11-2011, 12:54 PM

I'm sorry, but this is bullshit. If they are smoking, THEY should move. Actually, I would support creating a smoking area on the beaches.

But it is smoking outdoors. Inside, yes, there should be a ban on it, in fact I am amazed there is not, as many other states ban smoking in public places like bars. But the beach? How would you ever enforce it?

**Blackford Oakes** · 07-11-2011, 02:00 PM

When this non-smoking purge began, the largest group to resist were the restuarants and bars. Remember that. It was viewed as bad for business. I don't know how true that is. The last time I was in Vegas, you could still smoke and get robbed at the same time.

As a smoker, I try to respect my surroundings and create as much space between myself and other people. I also don't smoke if children or pregnant women are present. When smoking on flights was allowed, I'd probably had one per flight but only if conditions I mentioned where in the front part of the plane.

I recently picked up a couple duty free cartons before a flight. If you think our labels tell you the harm you are commiting to yourself, Banana Republics get to the point on their lables.

This topic has been trending for the last two decades. It's helped by the fact that health insurance now charges a premuim for smokers. I pay $84 a year to admit I smoke. A worthy investment so I'm not denied medical coverage for a lie. Probably the best argument against smoking are rising health costs.

Another trend against smoking is that some companies won't hire you. I know of three companies in Orlando that follow this policy. In a way I can see the benefit of this in regards to a company's cost. You got the health cost issue and an employee sneaking a unproductive smoke break. I don't have a problem with that policy.

As I've confessed, I'm a smoker that wishes he wasn't. I mean no harm to anyone.

A cure I've contemplated is heading to an inhabited island for a month. Just me and a month's supply of Spam, coconut water and some Michael Frank tunes. That might rehabilate myself.

**dylan** · 07-11-2011, 03:20 PM

I do not think this is necessary And I thhink it starts to infringe upon the freedoms of smokers.

**GandJ** · 07-11-2011, 04:00 PM

Smokers have the right to smoke themselves to death. But, there's also the old saying, "You have the right to swing your fists in the air all you want, but that freedom ends at the tip of my nose."

I don't think there should be a smoking ban on the beach, but if a non-smoker is there first, and a smoker plops down nearby on the upwind side of the non-smoker, the smoker should be the one who has to move.

If the smoker is there first, the non-smoker should find a different spot. Maybe smokers should always leave their smokes visible out on their towel as a pre-emptive warning to non-smokers to find another place.

... And smokers,.... please don't throw your butts on the ground or in the sand. It's littering. It no less littering than throwing any garbage on the ground. Why do (some) smokers think they get a free pass on littering with their cigarette butts?

Glenn

**Scott** · 07-11-2011, 04:54 PM

Originally Posted by GandJ

Smokers have the right to smoke themselves to death. But, there's also the old saying, "You have the right to swing your fists in the air all you want, but that freedom ends at the tip of my nose."

I don't think there should be a smoking ban on the beach, but if a non-smoker is there first, and a smoker plops down nearby on the upwind side of the non-smoker, the smoker should be the one who has to move.

If the smoker is there first, the non-smoker should find a different spot. Maybe smokers should always leave their smokes visible out on their towel as a pre-emptive warning to non-smokers to find another place.

... And smokers,.... please don't throw your butts on the ground or in the sand. It's littering. It no less littering than throwing any garbage on the ground. Why do (some) smokers think they get a free pass on littering with their cigarette butts?

Glenn

Perfectly stated on all points.

It irritates me to find butts on the beach as well. I always keep mine in a pile until I leave then dump them at one of the garbage bins on the way out. Sometimes, friends and i would go out in the water, smoking a cigarette on the way out. When they wanted to throw theirs out, it would bother me, so I'd take it and put it in the pocket of my bathing suit until we were back on the beach.

Smoking while wading in water. Addiction's finest moment.