That is wonderful news! wrote on Mar 13, 2008 7:02 AM:Now can you put a ban on all of the cars that park there as the State of Califonia says that auto emission do cause cancer. And since the amount of smokers are decreasing but cancer rates are climbing, we can only assume the State is correct in this matter.

Difference between cars and ciggies wrote on Mar 13, 2008 8:03 AM:I would love to see a but back on personal automobile driving, but cars have a necessary function is society. Cigarettes have ZERO, plain and simple. They are addictive garbage, no better than cocaine, heroin, or crystal meth. the faster we ban the use of them in public the better. Please stay home and limit the damage to yourself

Rich wrote on Mar 13, 2008 8:17 AM:tobacco is an addictive drug sold by corporations to make money. It never had any socially redeeming value.. and then, we all find out the truth, it ruins the health of those that smoke it, and those who breath it.

Banning this drug should have been done a long time ago... the human suffering it has caused is immeasurable, the cost in health care alone, should be recovered from the corporations that care more about profit than than the well being of fellow human beings... Lets BAN the sale of tobacco next!

Warning, it is dangerous to get between an addict and his/her drug... expect trouble..

Vista Granny wrote on Mar 13, 2008 8:26 AM:I don't smoke, but this seems excessive.

esteban wrote on Mar 13, 2008 8:40 AM:Remember,,,MY right to breathe clean air supercedes YOUR right to smoke. If you can grasp that, then we won't have a problem.

Olaf wrote on Mar 13, 2008 8:44 AM:This is great. If you don't think so go to another state that still allows people to smoke in resturants. It is amazing how disgusting it is in there. Beaches are enjoyed by all and should not have the hooked on cig's people ruining for them. The rights of the majority over the users. The first poster is a smoker no doubt! If we all wrapped our lips around the tail pipe of the car or drove on the beach, then I would see your point. But your wrong. STOP SMOKING IT IS KILLING YOU!

Nick wrote on Mar 13, 2008 9:01 AM:Another stupid law by sheep of poiticians. They use the ruse that they are tired or butts on the beach, but there are already littering laws on the beach. So what's the answer, pass another law that won't be enforced. Who do you think is going to enforce this new ordinance? Lifeguards won't. Call a cop? They are not going to respond to a cigarette call...lol. NO, this law targets a single group of people. If you support the ban of smoking and whine about your "right to breathe clean air", like "esteban", and still get in yor car that spews exhaust, YOUR A HYPOCRITE! Moonlight parking lot and Hwy 101 are a parking lot in the summertime, not to mention the seekends, and you are breathing FAR WORSE from the cars sitting in bumper to bumper traffic, than by a whiff of second hand smoke. Besides, the City does not OWN the beach. WE, THE PUBLIC, own the beaches. This ordinance was passed by the City Council and NOT the people. The City owns the right-of-way to access the beach, but not the strip of sand parallelling the water. Sounds ripe for a lawsuit against the City. I think I'll have my atty look into the matter. Smoke 'em if you got 'em.

Want to get a laugh? wrote on Mar 13, 2008 9:13 AM:Look on the side of your next gas pump you are using, they have a warning label just like the warning label on the side of cigarettes. If you don't care about your own health, at least start taking public transportation for the sake of the children.

RightonNick wrote on Mar 13, 2008 9:40 AM:That was clear and true.

Roy wrote on Mar 13, 2008 10:32 AM:I don't smoke but I think this culture is excessively restricting freedom. If it's not smoking it's cell phone use while driving. If not that it's the demand that we wear motorcycle helmets or wear a seat belt or not skate or skateboard in public. We are now being told when and how to use our fire places. What's next? This country was founded on the concept of freedom and after July I will use my cell phone in my car, burn whatever wood in my fireplace when I want to, invite my friends to light up and enjoy a smoke while in a bar with me, and encourage our youth to get out of their houses and ride their skateboards till they drop. It is time for a little civil disobedience. I left home eons ago and the last thing I want is a group of politicians becoming my surrogate Mom and Dad. Get out of our lives!

Nick wrote on Mar 13, 2008 10:46 AM:Right on Roy.

Bill 1 wrote on Mar 13, 2008 11:23 AM:I would like to see them ban people taking their dogs to the beach. I have twice had a dog take my food that i brought and once been knocked of my bicycle buy one. I have never had any problem with someone smoking.

eteban wrote on Mar 13, 2008 11:28 AM:I will still drive my '72 Dodge with a hole in the exhaust and you will not smoke. Deal with it.

Only the beginning wrote on Mar 13, 2008 12:01 PM:It's NAU in motion, a one world government. We are losing our constitutional rights. Piece by piece they are taking over.

Stacey wrote on Mar 13, 2008 12:02 PM:ROY ... I'm with you 110% ... A good dose of non-violent civil disobedience never hurt anyone and can manage to accomplish things if enough people get involved. It's past time we join together to override the restrictive stronghold our goverment thinks they're entitled to.

Jon wrote on Mar 13, 2008 12:15 PM:I can justify driving my car to work. I was born into an area of urban sprawl...with silly mass transit. How on earth can anyone justify smoking. That's alright though...if you want to increase you chances of lung cancer...and put you and your family through that...so you can get a little buzz...that’s all good....BUT...when I go to the beach to get away form the traffic and smell the fresh air off the ocean...I SHOULDN’T HAVE TO SMELL YOUR USELESS CIGARETTE POLLUTION!. I have the right to breathe cigarette free air. Now if you would just walk back on the beach...downwind of the masses and light up...and throw away your butts. Then we are fine. It is common courtesy to smoke downwind. And those who are not addicted may enjoy the fresh ocean breeze. SMOKERS BROUGHT THIS ON THEMSELVES by being so irresponsible with smoking. If you could handle yourselves and not act like kids…throwing butts out the windw…then big-brother would not have to step in. Look at all the butts laying along the freeway exits….SHAMEFUL! Of course none of the smoker-posters here would ever do that! Be responsible smokers...not forcing others to breathe your junk...and we would all get along....but until then....GOOD RIDDENS!

Better watch it eteban wrote on Mar 13, 2008 12:29 PM:the environmentalist are every where! They will tell you when and what you may drive. Isn't it nice to live in a dictaorship nation?

KJDC007 wrote on Mar 13, 2008 12:48 PM:"Look on the side of your next gas pump you are using, they have a warning label just like the warning label on the side of cigarettes. If you don't care about your own health, at least start taking public transportation for the sake of the children"

Oh please you smoker, do you drink the gas or put it in your body....its a warning to cover their ass from lawsuits if someone did.

Smoking causes cancer in smokers and second hand smokers. If you want to kill yourself and have a very pain full death go for it but dont try to take others around you. Oh hey I know maybe just quit and live a nicer life.

And to all you smokers who smoke around kids and your kids...You guys you dont love or care about. All you care about is youself!

"for the sake of childern" boy you are good...please you dont even look were you blow your smoke.

You could be in your car with the window down and 10 cars up and I can still smell your smoke... that means im breathing it in.

Go enjoy lung cancer...you have about 6 months once you get it...good luck 0% cure rate.

Bill 1 wrote on Mar 13, 2008 12:58 PM:I agree with Roy too!!

Civil Disobedience wrote on Mar 13, 2008 1:04 PM:can be not mailing your taxes in on April 15th. If we do that do you realize how many problems would be corrected immediately? And as Jorge has always said, "You can't expect me to arrest 12 million people for not paying taxes, can you?"

Disappointed wrote on Mar 13, 2008 1:21 PM:I was hoping for Alcohol to be banned in the same places too. Second hand Alcohol causes wrecks and kill people also. I was hoping cars would be banned because the exhaust is like second hand smoke. Please ban burping and passing gas as that is very annoying. I can't get enough of these nanny's thinking they know best for everyone. Sure doesn't say much for the people that elect these folks. It's obvious their supporters feel they need to be taken care of rather than grow up and make their own decisions.

To KDJC007 wrote on Mar 13, 2008 1:31 PM:Don't argue with me, argue with the State of California, they are the ones saying it. Go to their website. "There are eight basic specifications for cleaner-burning gasoline. They are:
1.Reduced sulfur content. Sulfur inhibits the effectiveness of catalytic converters. Cleaner-burning gasoline enables catalytic converters to work more effectively and further reduce tailpipe emissions.
2. Reduced benzene content. Benzene is known to CAUSE CANCER in humans. leaner-burning gasoline has about one-half the benzene of earlier gasoline, thus reducing CANCER RISKS." I believe there are alot more cars in California than smokers.

julio wrote on Mar 13, 2008 1:31 PM:I am going to forge a smokervoter alliance if it's the last thing I do. Let's just say for simplification that the current 20% of smokervoters who make up the electorate split half Democrat/half Republican. If just one-third of those Democrats could be swung over to Peace&Freedom, Ralph Nader or some such, we'd have a solid 14% voting bloc, which would be very potent. It could spell death for the Democrats. Political strategists regularly fret over little two or three percent slices of the electorate. Try typing smokervoter into a search engine and see what happens

Oh Roy.... wrote on Mar 13, 2008 1:44 PM:Now, now, just becuase it was done in the old days......that's a tired excuse. The reason our "liberties" are being infringed upon is because there are more people living in a smaller space. The reality is that you just can't do what you used to do anymore! Sure, I pine for the days when I could just shoot my gun at a bunch of cans in the street, or leave my dog outside becuase I know he'll come home in a few days, or just dump my oil in a pit in the back yard. Come on now, buddy, gotta get with the program! You can't walk around the yard in your skivvies anymore, either!

Olaf wrote on Mar 13, 2008 2:17 PM:You all slay me. If you are a smoker then listen to yourselves. If you are not get a grip! The laws are passed with a majority of the people supporting them. You are in the minority. I do NOT want to smell your smoke and any kids that play should not have to breathe it because your hooked on it. Small feeble minded "ME" first types need to wake up. YOU are not the only people around! You are part of a larger society that has rules and has to make more because of you! Silly isn't it??? You complain of more rules yet your behavior creates it...HMMMM IRONY??? Seat belts save lives, helmuts save your domes from being injured, etc.... Stop whining and get off the Cig's....

Jay wrote on Mar 13, 2008 2:31 PM:When is the City Council going to get serious and ban farting? Or at least enforce a downwind clause to make Jon happy.

Bill 1 wrote on Mar 13, 2008 3:01 PM:To olaf, Many people die from alcohol also, so why not ban that. Why not ban cars too, after all, I am an avid cyclist and you driving your car endangers me. So give up your car so I am not at risk. It could go on and on.

Rocky JS wrote on Mar 13, 2008 3:23 PM:Complain, complain. If cigarette smoke wasn't so obnoxious, if smokers didn't treat the world -- and the beach -- like personal ashtrays this never would have happened. When a smaller group of people act like jerks and annoy the majority, the majority will do something about it. You want to smoke at the beaches? Get the law overturned. You want others to smoke there even though you don't -- what's wrong with you? It's as if you had a neighbor who shovels his feces over the fence into your yard, and you want to defend his right to do so!

Dang the smokers! wrote on Mar 13, 2008 3:43 PM:Going to cost us more money and pollution! Many scientific studies have found ozone levels strongly correlated with rates of heart and respiratory disease and resulting deaths. The evidence gets stronger by the year, resulting in increasingly stringent federal smog limits. Oops me bad, they were talking about cars!

Thanfully we live in wrote on Mar 13, 2008 4:01 PM:North County, I would hate to be livining San Diego County! California counties that currently do not meet the Environmental Protection Agency's new health standard for smog, as provided by the EPA. Alameda, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, El Dorado, Fresno, Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Los Angeles, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Nevada, Orange, Placer, Riverside, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Joaquin, Santa Clara, Shasta, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tehama, Tulare, Tuolumne, Ventura and Yolo.

Yuk wrote on Mar 13, 2008 4:28 PM:...nothing like kissing an ashtray. And for all of you who don't like the ban, it wouldn't have happened except for the millions of cigarette butts that are all over our beaches. Too darn bad.

BEACH LOVER wrote on Mar 13, 2008 5:33 PM:I LAUGH AT ALL THE PEOPLE THAT ARE TRYING TO COMPARE CIGARETTE SMOKING WITH EXHAUST FUMES. FIRST OF ALL...CARS ARE A WAY OF TRANSPORTATION AND IS A NECESSITY, UNLESS YOU THINK WE SHOULD BAN THAT AND RIDE BIKES TO WORK. IF YOU SMOKE...IT IS YOUR CHOICE..IT'S NOT MY CHOICE TO BE AROUND IT OR MY KIDS CHOICE. IF YOU WANT TO SMOKE AND KILL YOURSELF DO IT IN THE PRIVACY OF YOUR OWN HOME. WHEN PEOPLE GO TO THE BEACH THEY GO TO RELAX AND ENJOY THE FRESH OCEAN AIR...NOT SOMEONES CANCER STICK! I FULLY AGREE WITH THE BAN!!!

Cigarettes are gross wrote on Mar 13, 2008 5:35 PM:Cigarettes stink & 90% or more think the world is their ashtray. Cigarettes are so 1900`s get with it people we are in a new mellinium Unless you feel like you might enjoy Emphasema or a large list of cancers that are associated with Tar & Nicotine. But I do like the hippie lettuce aroma at the annual Tom Petty concerts at Coors Amphitheater

Olaf wrote on Mar 13, 2008 5:36 PM:And your points are??? I for one say they should ban alcohol but as I stated earlier the majority of people don't want to...THE MAJORITY of people are not hooked on Cig's and do not like the smell of them. And Bill 1 yes we should get some lanes just for cyclists... you need some room but good luck getting anybody out of cars and they love their roads.

That's another thing the filthy smokers who flick their butt's out the window...yuck!!! disgusting!

Roy wrote on Mar 13, 2008 7:23 PM:Yes farts contain methane right? Ban them they are bad for my lungs. Ban anything with a strong odor. It may offend or cause people to have allergic reactions. Ban loud Harleys they are too loud and cause hearing damage. Ban radios, cd players, and tv's in cars. They are as distracting as cell phones. Ban eating in cars too. Spilling drinks and dropping food can cause accidents. Ban conversation in cars too. Ever been lost in a distracting conversation? Ban loud children in restaurants. They annoy the majority of people there. Ban alcohol. It's bad for you. Ban all food that contains sugar or contains empty calories. It makes us obese. Ban work place stress. It shortens our lives. Ban all things that may be turned into a weapon. Let's make our world safe. Make swimming pools illegal. Children drown in them. Ban children from going near the street. It's too dangerous. Ban the irresponible from having children. The kids suffer. Oh we could go on and on with the stupidity of the do gooder mentality. Leave us alone Mom and Dad politicians and focus your attention on something you are suppose to do. How about spending our money responsibly? Let us live and enjoy our lives without your meddling.

Thomas wrote on Mar 13, 2008 7:38 PM:Smoking bans are the real threat


The bandwagon of local smoking bans now steamrolling across the nation -
from sea to sea- has nothing to do with protecting people from the supposed
threat of "second-hand" smoke.

Indeed, the bans themselves are symptoms of a far more grievous threat; a
cancer that has been spreading for decades and has now metastasized
throughout the body politic, spreading even to the tiniest organs of local
government. This cancer is the only real hazard involved - the cancer of
unlimited government power.

The issue is not whether second-hand smoke is a real danger or a phantom
menace, as a study published recently in the British Medical Journal
indicates. The issue is: if it were harmful, what would be the proper
reaction? Should anti-tobacco activists satisfy themselves with educating
people about the potential danger and allowing them to make
their own decisions, or should they seize the power of government and force
people to make the "right" decision?

Supporters of local tobacco bans have made their choice. Rather than
attempting to protect people from an unwanted intrusion on their health, the
tobacco bans are the unwanted intrusion.

Loudly billed as measures that only affect "public places," they have
actually targeted private places: restaurants, bars, nightclubs, shops, and
offices - places whose owners are free to set anti-smoking rules or whose
customers are free to go elsewhere if they don't like the smoke. Some local
bans even harass smokers in places where their effect on others is obviously
negligible, such as outdoor public parks.

The decision to smoke, or to avoid "second-hand" smoke, is a question to be
answered by each individual based on his own values and his own assessment
of the risks. This is the same kind of decision free people make regarding
every aspect of their lives: how much to spend or invest, whom to befriend
or sleep with, whether to go to college or get a job, whether to get married
or divorced, and so on.

All of these decisions involve risks; some have demonstrably harmful
consequences; most are controversial and invite disapproval from the
neighbours. But the individual must be free to make these decisions. He must
be free, because his life belongs to him, not to his neighbours, and only
his
own judgment can guide him through it.

Yet when it comes to smoking, this freedom is under attack. Cigarette
smokers are a numerical minority, practicing a habit considered annoying and
unpleasant to the majority. So the majority has simply commandeered the
power of government and used it to dictate their behaviour.

That is why these bans are far more threatening than the prospect of
inhaling a few stray whiffs of tobacco while waiting for a table at your
favourite restaurant. The anti-tobacco crusaders point in exaggerated alarm
at those wisps of smoke while they unleash the systematic and unlimited
intrusion of government into our lives.

We do not elect officials to control and manipulate our behaviour.

bonddi wrote on Mar 13, 2008 10:43 PM:I support the ban and I am a smoker. Cigarettes are bad for everyone and one day I might just be able to quit for good. The more young people are exposed to smokers the more likely they will smoke. It is a destructive stupid habit but so addicting that stopping is a life long struggle -- by our example of not smoking our children will benefit.

Olaf wrote on Mar 14, 2008 8:37 AM:DUm DUm Dum.... Thomas is so dooms day isn't he??? wow the evil government is coming for you... ahhhh!!!!!. Yes "they" are coming for you. want to control you... look out for the black helicoptors. DUDE get on with your life and live a little. Stop being so paranoid. AND STOP SMOKING!!!!!

david wrote on Mar 14, 2008 9:33 AM:Smoking not too bad...we should ban overwieght/fat people...they more more unhealthy

You're all LooneyToones! wrote on Mar 14, 2008 9:39 AM:To thing that smoking bans are the biggest threat to democracy!?!?! What about the gosh-darn patriot act?!?!? Biggest supression of civil liberties and all you looney toones can complain about are smoking bans? Nero, your fiddle is out of tune....

beach lover wrote on Mar 14, 2008 11:16 AM:Roy....I think you have lost your mind!! Everything you just said is so ignorant...ban children from restaurants, ban radios....hahaha, are you for real? In case you didn't know..second hand smoke is worse for you then actually smoking a cigarette yourself. Let me ask you something...when was the last time you heard someone die from a fart or from loud children in a restaurant...your arguement makes no sense and those things can't even be compared to cigarette smoking. My grandmother was diagnosed with emphazima several years ago...and guess what she never smoked a cigarette a day in her life...hmmmm wonder how that happened?

Encinitas25 wrote on Mar 14, 2008 11:36 AM:SWEET! I fully support this ban; I live right around the corner from the beach and let me tell you, it makes my skin crawl when I walk down the trail to the beach...and step into a pile of cigarette butts. It's disgusting....however, I wish the trash problem on our beaches was merely limited to people leaving behind butts, but unfortunatley there are SOOO many people that leave there soda cans, candy wrappers, etc., behind as well. What the hell happened to pick up after oneself? Is it THAT hard?

encinitas25 wrote on Mar 14, 2008 12:01 PM:I like your attitude Bonddi....I hope you're able to kick the habit soon...good luck. I know it's tough -- my parents quit for good several years ago (they had previously quit in the late 80's for about 5 years then started up again :( )......they were sure irritable, but understandably so. If they can do it, you can do it!! Anyway, good luck!!

Bobby wrote on Mar 14, 2008 12:45 PM:Well, good for all of you I happen to smoke UNFILTERED Ciggarettes, or just roll my own.. So if I was to "litter" and drop it on the ground it could be very easily ground into nothing, but a bit of unnoticable tobacco remnants, and maybe a microbial bit of paper... Oh and AIR IS FREE! Unless you own the property, then I guess your paying for it... Just get over it people.. I still smoke on the "non smoking" beaches, nobody says anything to me about it... And I will do it on Encinitas as well, go ahead, say something... I'll put my buttless cigarette out on Encinitas beach.. The worlds supposed largest ashtray and cointinue walking away, relighting another after you have passed by...

Have a nice day...

To David wrote on Mar 14, 2008 1:17 PM:I agree ban fat people from the beach, they make me sick! Why should I be forced to look upon their unhealthy lifestyle?

encinitas25 wrote on Mar 14, 2008 1:48 PM:Bobby -- nice post...so mature. I hope you get yelled at when you light up on the beach ..... why don't you do us all a favor and keep your crappy attitude and cigarettes at home.....

to encinitas25 wrote on Mar 14, 2008 2:36 PM:Hey it's bobby, I happen to live here in Encinitas, for the past 32 years at the same location, about a 3 minute walk from my house is the beach. I should be able to smoke in a "City Public location" so I will, don't worry, there will be no trash from my cigarrette butts to annoy people like you... And do us all a favor, keep your yuppie self off of our old timer beaches, your the ones that ruin it....

Olaf wrote on Mar 14, 2008 3:20 PM:Typical smoker (Bobby) ...it is all about them. Selfish to the bone they are. But maybe the irony is that is the type of attitude that has caused the ban. If you wouldn't smoke in a car with your kids in it we wouldn't have to make a law. ETC...ETC... If only people could be happy. Life isn't that bad Bobby. Back away from the cliff!!!!...