Q-LINE, from page 6
This past week, Q-line asked: “Do you think it is OK for smoking to be prohibited on the beach in the name of public health, or do you think this unfairly violates the freedom of Santa Monica’s citizens?”
Here are your responses: ■ “The use of alcohol and tobacco are very deadly habits. These two drugs lead to cardiovascular and respiratory impairment and then premature painful death. These two drugs have also driven the cost of healthcare and Medicare to soar sky high and out of reach for many individuals. Any ban on these products sits well with me, however I do not support prohibition, due to bootlegging, as that does not sit well with me either. Health education is the answer. The second worst part of these filthy habits is the residue left on city walkways in the form of cigarette butts, empty packs and beer cans and bottles to name just a few.” ■ “I think the bans on smoking are getting a little ridiculous. The pier and beaches are large, open air areas and should not be so restricted. I am a nonsmoker who really is bothered by cigarette smoke, but let’s have a little reason and be fair. If the city is worried about our health, why can’t we make the vagrants stop toting around all that smelly garbage and setting up camp in our city parks?” ■ “I think it’s a good idea to have no smoking on the pier and beach. However, there is so much beach, how will they possibly control it? This City Council has taken all the rights away from the people. Eventually we won’t be able to walk on the sidewalk, pier, or beach. Unless, of course, you are homeless.” ■ “If I have to breathe second-hand smoke, I may as well be smoking myself. It is not fair for second-hand smoke to endanger those who are not only allergic and suffer doubly, but also those who wish to avoid cancer, emphysema, etc. Smokers have no right to inflict dangers on non-smokers. On beaches, the wind can carry the smoke and the smell for a very large distance. The beach is also frequented by children who are very susceptible to the dangers.” ■ “Not only is it OK to prohibit smoking on the beach, it should also be banned in lines for movies, sporting events, and in or around outdoor eating establishments.” ■ “I don’t smoke, but I think it is really silly that the City Council is trying to ban smoking on public beaches. I think people should be able to smoke as long as they clean up their mess. The so-called People’s Republic of Santa Monica must have better things to do than just banning smoking.” ■ “Smoking on the beach prohibits my freedom to breathe clean fresh air on the beach. This ban is a wise decision.” ■ “This is definitely a violation of citizens’ freedom and rights. I don’t smoke but to state that smoking pollutes the air on the beach is a joke. The spitting and urinating going on in the street is a far more dangerous health hazard. Why is there no fine for that? And a serious one?” ■ “I am a non-smoker, and I think this ban is ridiculous. You can’t tell me this is a health hazard, not with the constant breeze we have here. That just doesn’t wash. I can’t see of any reason to do it other than trying to be politically correct. I don’t think it will improve the beach quality.” ■ “Nobody owns the air or the beach, so I shouldn’t think this is legal. Who in their right mind would spend tourist money here when it’s fogged in eight months out of the year and boring, overpriced, not to mention the vagrants all over the place? Now you are going to tell the European tourists that they can’t smoke? Give me a break. You can’t smoke in bars or restaurants already.” ■ “I think this is totally unfair. If citizens are not allowed to smoke, they should also not be allowed to eat food, drink soda, or use suntan lotion because you know that can get into the water too.” ■ “What next? Come on City Council! What next?” ■ “I think this is absolutely necessary in the name of public health. I don’t think it is fair for smokers to infringe on the health and well-being of non-smokers. We have rights as well, obviously.” ■ “I just moved here from Maine in January. I cannot believe the City Council here. I see people urinating and defecating on the street every day, and they are worried about a little cigarette smoke. One of the reasons I liked this town was because of the shops with the signs that helped bring people in. Now they are attacking that.” ■ “I think this is a great idea and possibly absolutely vital to public health that smoking on the beach is banned. The butts litter the beach, the smoke puts non-smokers at risk and in general it just isn’t fair that the world at large should suffer because a few people want to shorten their own lives.” ■ “The Nazi Patrol, AKA, the Santa Monica City Council are at it again, throwing around their power hungry control antics on our citizens. They don’t have any right passing a law that those who smoke can’t smoke on the beach. They are such a hypocritical bunch of maniacs. It’s all right for them to pour toxic fluoride into our water supply, for our health’s sake, but we can’t smoke on the beach without being fined because they are worried about our health? What a joke. Arrogance and ignorance runs amok.” ■ “I am a non-smoker, and anyone who smokes in my eyes is kind of an idiot, knowing all the health risks. However, smoking outdoors should be allowed.” ■ “Public health? Are they kidding? I don’t smoke but I can smell, and let me tell you, I don’t smell smoke. I do however, smell urine, feces, garbage, body odor, spittle, vomit and certifiable mental cases running all over Santa Monica. You know what we need? We need a mayor backed by a City Council with no tolerance for vagrants and homeless people. This is of major importance to Santa Monica citizens. This is the real health hazard. My kids are terrified of homeless people, as much as I try to explain they won’t hurt them, I myself don’t believe it. I cannot believe that the City Council thinks banning smoking is of importance. Who will pay for the money for the ‘no smoking’ signs on the beach? Weren’t they just complaining about signs, anyway? Who are these people? I am a Democrat, and I wish that I still cared about the plight of the homeless. I don’t anymore. The only thing I care about now is getting this City Council out and bringing one in who cares about the actual tax-paying, law-abiding citizens who live and work here.” ■ “This law has nothing to do with our public health. This is just another exercise by the Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights to control the lives of the Santa Monica citizens. These people thrive on their power over all aspects of our lives, and they must be removed, the sooner the better.” ■ “I am an ex-smoker, however, I strongly oppose this vote by the city clown council to ban smoking on the beaches. This is one more freedom being taken away by a small group intent on being politically correct and jumping on the bandwagon. They maintain that it will bring more people to Santa Monica because of our clean air. Well, what about the filth in the parks and the Promenade and also our beaches from the homeless invited to live and eat here? Let’s also ban buses and old cars. This City Council must be dreaming all night of new ways to ruin this once great city.” ■ “People are not born smokers. Smoking is a behavior, it is learned, modified and can be stopped. There is no such thing as a smoker’s rights. There is no fundamental right to smoke. The assertion that smoking regulations violate the rights of smokers or equal protections clauses is not based in fact or reality.” ■ “This is a violation of everyone’s rights. As taxpayers, we should be able to use public property as we all see fit. Let’s say I am standing at the bus stop, all by myself, and I light up a cigarette. Does this mean the SMPD is going to jump all over me, even though I am by myself? It seems like that is what Big Brother, or the City Council, wants. I have to wonder what other freedoms will be taken away.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 10, 2004. Read the original PDF.