San Anselmo, Fairfax Lawmaker Wants to Ban Smoking at State Beaches, Parks

A Marin County lawmaker's bill that seeks to prohibit smoking on state beaches and parks cleared its first hurdle this week, passing the Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee. Assemblymember Marc Levine (D-Marin County) has authored AB 725 in an effort to "protect Californians."

"Smoking is a dangerous habit that results in cancer and pollution," Levine said in a news release announcing the bill. "We have a duty to protect Californians visiting our parks and beaches to protect public health and our environment."

Levine said that cigarettes are the most common form of litter found on beaches and parks – and that some 6.9 million butts were collected on annual Coastal Cleanup days from 1989 to 2014.

"Existing law makes it an infraction for a person to smoke a cigarette, cigar, or other tobacco product within 25 feet of a playground or tot lot sandbox area," the bill text states.

"This bill would make it an infraction for a person to smoke, as defined, on a state coastal beach or in a unit of the state park system or to dispose of used cigar or cigarette waste on a state coastal beach or in a unit of the state park system. The bill would establish a state-mandated local program by creating a new crime."

If passed, the state would also be required to post signs at beaches and parks indicating the new law. Exceptions could be created at the discretion of the Director of Parks and Recreation.

"AB 725 works upon the important steps the legislature took in 2016 to curb smoking," said Jennie Cook, past national and state chair of the American Cancer Society. "This bill will protect individuals who want to enjoy California’s state parks and beaches without compromising their health through exposure to secondhand smoke."

Patch file photo by Renee Schiavone