Smokers may need to butt out on some Hawaii beaches
The Hawaii County Council is moving toward approving a ban on smoking at all Big Island beaches, parks and recreation areas.
The council has given initial approval to expanding an outdoor smoking ban that now applies only to Kahaluu Beach Park.
That ban, passed last year, resulted from a campaign by a group of Big Island of Hawaii middle school students wanting to protect marine life from cigarette butts after they collected more than 2,000 butts from the Kahaluu beach in just 30 minutes as part of a science project.
The council is expected to take up the bill for a full-council vote at its next meeting on Feb. 21.
"Making smoking illegal in public places is very important, and we all support that," North Kona Councilman Angel Pilago said.
Hilo Councilman Stacy Higa, however, cast a lone vote against the bill, saying it impinges on individual liberties. He proposed designating smoking areas so park visitors don't have to go out onto the road to smoke.
The bill would place fines at $100 and also include parking lots.
But some smokers object to such an ordinance.
"What about the dangers of car emissions, barbecue grills and legal backyard burning?" Clifford Souza asked the council. "We don't need bills that take away our personal freedoms."
Source:- Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
| 
