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Posted on 07/25/2014 8:35:42 AM PDT by Drango
Any beachgoers that enjoy puffing away on a cigarette while they sit on the sand or frolic in the surf may have to get their nicotine fix elsewhere, as Oregon has proposed a ban on smoking that would include all 362 miles of beaches on its coastline.
The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department has followed up an earlier ban on smoking at most state park properties with this proposal, partly because the agency is worried that all those smokers pushed out of parks will come to the beach, reports the Associated Press.
The move would also serve to cut down on litter on the beaches and ensure consistent rules throughout the entire state parks system, an agency spokesman added.
According to the executive director of a nonprofit organization called SOLVE that collects trash on Oregon beaches, cigarette butts are the most prolific item.
“Most of the debris picked up by the volunteers consists of either small plastic items or cigarette butts, which both harm marine life in various ways,” she told the AP.
Those caught smoking could face a $110 fine under the proposed ban, though the department would rather educate visitors and save the heavy fines for the worst repeat offenders. Park rangers would be responsible for enforcing the ban, as they are for the February ban that only allows smoking inside vehicles or campsites when on state park property, or in specially designated areas in day-use parks.
Rangers have already started asking people to put out their cigarettes in state parks, but won’t start ticketing anyone until next year, the spokesperson adds.
Including pot?
Yeah, this is justified by the need for environmental purity, every bit as much as Soviets shooting Kulachs for hording what they grew for themselves was.
The cigarette butts are more harmful than the cigarettes themselves. Just get rid of them. I used to roll my own because it was cheaper.
The move would also serve to cut down on litter on the beaches
All that sand is viewed as one big ashtray to some.
I don’t have any empathy for nicotine addicts. If junkies were littering the sand with syringes to the extent that smokers use the sands as an ashtray, there wouldn’t be a peep of protest from anyone about banning shooting up at the beach. While butts aren’t the health hazard that needles are, they’re still pretty bad in their own right. As usual, the irresponsible wrecked it for the responsible.
I have no problem with fining people who litter. This is the deliberate desire to punish a perfectly legal act. They should feel free to ticket and fine people who dispose of their buts on the ground.
I am a non-smoker. I quit years ago, however, when I turn 80 I am smoking again! At that age, who cares?
ohhhh Nooooo,
Here in Washington State, I was late to my doctor’s appointment yesterday as the only road to town was closed due to a grass fire on the shoulder. One guess as to how that started.
Enforcement’s a b*tch.
while they sit on the sand or frolic in the surf
Smoking while frolicking in the surf is pointless. Your cig will be put out by the surf.
Candy will be next unless you pay for an expensive permit and sign an affidavit that you will agree to exercise 4 times a week and restrict your bodyfat to 25 % or less. Have to keep those Obamacare claims down you know. Obamacare is going to be used as a major tool to take away as many of your freedoms as they can in a sneaky and deceptive way. And Congress critters, the politico and extended royalty are all going to be exempt from it.
Good. Littering a beach with your nicotine addiction is not a human right.
Does that include marijuana?
If you would like more information about what's happening in Oregon, please FReepmail me. I lost my Oregon list when my computer crashed recently, so please send me your name by FReepmail if you want to be on this list.
So many potheads in Oregon. This will be tough on them
Why don’t they just switch to smokeless e-cigarettes? No smoke. No butts.
I have empathy for all of us.
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