By Robert Berger Chair, Los Angeles County Smoke-Free Beach Task Force
While I was pleased to see smoke-free beaches reported as the No. 2 story of 2004 (2004 Year In Review, SMDP, Dec. 31, page 1), I disagree with the SMDP’s characterization of this being an unprecedented policy or one that was recommended by a “small group of citizens.” Smoke-free beaches were established in Massachusetts and Hawaii nearly a decade ago. The precedent in California was set in Solana Beach, which went smoke-free in 2003. By the time the Santa Monica City Council reviewed and voted on the policy, it had the backing of a wide range of residents and students, Santa Monica’s Recreation and Parks Commission, and Task Force on the Environment, and the local chapters of the Surfrider Foundation, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, American Lung Association, Los Angeles County Medical Association, Environment Now and many others. Public hearings and extensive community surveying confirmed broad support for smoke-free beaches. The fact that communities like Los Angeles, Malibu, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Manhattan Beach, Santa Cruz and as far away as Australia were inspired to follow Santa Monica’s lead is further testament to the fact that this is a mainstream issue whose time has come.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 4, 2005. Read the original PDF.