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# NO. 2: Smokers snuffed
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/no-2-smokers-snuffed/
- Published: 2004-12-31T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T05:55:14.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Environment, Pier, #archive-import

OUT AT BEACHES Earlier this year a small group of citizens recommended to the City Council that there should be no more smoking on local beaches and some areas of the Santa Monica Pier. That was enough for elected leaders to discuss the idea for a few months before passing a law in April that banished all smokers from the sandy shores of Santa Monica. Just in time for the summer holiday season, the law went into effect on May 27.

If caught, the crime is punishable by a $250 fine. But once fines, penalties and other court costs are totaled, violators can expect to be out of pocket $750 or more.

The Los Angeles City Council also this year banned smoking on the four beaches in the city of LA — Cabrillo, Dockweiler, Will Rogers and Venice — which comprises 13 miles of beach. The Malibu City Council also passed a smoking ban on its beaches, which took effect this past summer.

California is at the forefront of antismoking legislation. Perhaps the fiercest bans exist in Davis, Berkeley, Palo Alto and San Ramon, where smoking is illegal within 20 feet of any smoke-free area. For Santa Monica, that would mean stores, restaurants and offices.

A California law went into effect on Jan. 1, 2003 that prohibits smoking within 20 feet of any public building, including universities and community colleges. The state law compliments Santa Monica’s anti-smoking stance. The City Council in March of 2003 voted to ban smoking in its 15 parks because of health risks associated with second-hand smoke and the likelihood that children could ingest discarded cigarette butts.

Citing health risks and pollution, politicians are considering a ban at local beaches throughout the state. A bill is being considered in Sacramento to ban smoking on all beaches of California’s 1,200-mile coastline.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/123104-08_01.jpg)

on and around the Santa Monica Pier need to mind a newly enacted smoking ban. (Photo: File photo Smokers)

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 31, 2004.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/123104.pdf?ref=smdp.com)