Oropeza bill seeks to ban smoking in state parks and beaches
California Political Desk
February 25, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Protecting the environment to help prevent fires and ensure safe, fish-based food supplies are the goals of a proposed ban on smoking at state beaches and parks, under a bill introduced by Sen. Jenny Oropeza.
"Caring for the environment and protecting public health are goals worthy of California´s policymakers," Oropeza, D-Long Beach, said today after introducing Senate Bill 1418. "Safeguarding state parks and beaches from cigarette butts, protecting fish and helping prevent fires reflect the values of most Californians. This also shows we are good stewards of our environment."
As introduced, SB 1418 would establish a fine of $100 for smoking at a state beach or within a state park. The measure includes public posting of the ban.
Oropeza cited several additional reasons to support her bill:
The US Environmental Protection Agency has determined cigarette butts to be the most frequently found marine debris item in the United States.
Smoking-related debris poses a persistent and serious threat to marine life and beachgoers over California´s 1,100 miles of coastline.
Ingestion of cigarette waste by marine animals interferes with their ability to eat and digest food.
According to the Ocean Conservancy, in 2003 smoking-related items (in the form of cigarette filters, cigar tips, tobacco packaging, and cigarette lighters) accounted for 38 percent of all debris items found in the United States.
Cigarette butts are not biodegradable and can harm the ecosystem as they contain more than 165 chemicals.
According to the California Department of Forestry (over a five-year average), smoking has been found to annually cause more than 100 CDF fires and more than 3,400 acres of damage.
Smoking has caused four of the 25 worst wildfires in California, from 1929-1999, including the 1999 Jones wildfire, which destroyed 964 structures, and the 1999 Oakland Hills fire, the largest dollar fire loss in United States history. The $1.5 billion blaze destroyed 3,354 homes, 456 apartment buildings and 2,000 vehicles.
Numerous cities and parks have already imposed bans on smoking, including bans on local beaches and piers in Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Malibu, Newport Beach, San Clemente, Santa Monica, Seal Beach and Solana Beach.
Protecting smokers and cleaning up the environment have long been priorities for Oropeza, a cancer survivor. Going into effect Jan. 1, 200 8, was SB7, her ban on smoking in cars with kids. In 2007, her measure went into effect banning smoking in common-use areas such as covered parking lots, adjacent stairwells, lobbies, lounges, waiting areas, elevators and restrooms.
"Caring for the environment and protecting public health are goals worthy of California´s policymakers," Oropeza, D-Long Beach, said today after introducing Senate Bill 1418. "Safeguarding state parks and beaches from cigarette butts, protecting fish and helping prevent fires reflect the values of most Californians. This also shows we are good stewards of our environment."
As introduced, SB 1418 would establish a fine of $100 for smoking at a state beach or within a state park. The measure includes public posting of the ban.
Oropeza cited several additional reasons to support her bill:
The US Environmental Protection Agency has determined cigarette butts to be the most frequently found marine debris item in the United States.
Smoking-related debris poses a persistent and serious threat to marine life and beachgoers over California´s 1,100 miles of coastline.
Ingestion of cigarette waste by marine animals interferes with their ability to eat and digest food.
According to the Ocean Conservancy, in 2003 smoking-related items (in the form of cigarette filters, cigar tips, tobacco packaging, and cigarette lighters) accounted for 38 percent of all debris items found in the United States.
Cigarette butts are not biodegradable and can harm the ecosystem as they contain more than 165 chemicals.
According to the California Department of Forestry (over a five-year average), smoking has been found to annually cause more than 100 CDF fires and more than 3,400 acres of damage.
Smoking has caused four of the 25 worst wildfires in California, from 1929-1999, including the 1999 Jones wildfire, which destroyed 964 structures, and the 1999 Oakland Hills fire, the largest dollar fire loss in United States history. The $1.5 billion blaze destroyed 3,354 homes, 456 apartment buildings and 2,000 vehicles.
Numerous cities and parks have already imposed bans on smoking, including bans on local beaches and piers in Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Malibu, Newport Beach, San Clemente, Santa Monica, Seal Beach and Solana Beach.
Protecting smokers and cleaning up the environment have long been priorities for Oropeza, a cancer survivor. Going into effect Jan. 1, 200 8, was SB7, her ban on smoking in cars with kids. In 2007, her measure went into effect banning smoking in common-use areas such as covered parking lots, adjacent stairwells, lobbies, lounges, waiting areas, elevators and restrooms.
Print
Email
