Assembly considers a smoking ban on state beaches

Assemblyman Leland Yee has introduced a bill that would impose a $150 fine for smoking or discarding cigarette butts on any of California’s state beaches. Yee said the bill was intended to reduce litter: "We don’t have enough resources to keep our beaches clean, so if there’s a way to prevent the dumping of this garbage, these cigarette butts, we should do that." Smoking is already banned by local ordinance in Malibu, Santa Monica, Los Angeles, San Clemente, and Solana Beach.

This bill would apply on many beaches on the Coastside, including Gray Whale Cove, Montara, Half Moon Bay, San Gregorio, and Bean Hollow State Beaches.