A continent and half an ocean away from the lights of Atlantic City, a Hawaii county banned smoking at beach parks and other outdoor recreational areas.

The council of Hawaii County — which covers the Big Island — voted 7-2 late Tuesday to override Mayor Harry Kim's veto of the ban, despite last-minute pleas from tourism leaders.

Backers were inspired by students who collected more than 2,000 cigarette butts from a beach as a science project and raised concerns about the litter's effects on marine life.

The regulation went into effect immediately. Violators may be issued a $100 citation.

Kim had called an outright ban impractical and unfair and urged the council to consider designating outdoor areas where smoking is allowed.

Hilo Councilman J Yoshimoto, who introduced the bill, said he was disappointed by Kim's veto.

"I cannot relate to this addiction or so-called addiction. This bill helps everyone. Smokers will smoke less and we're setting an example for the kids," Yoshimoto said. "This is looking out for the greater good."

They should ban sun-bathers next - they leave trash all over the place, contaminate the water with potent sun-blocking chemicals on their skin and contribute to incidences of skin cancer.

It's for the childrun'

quote:

"IThis bill helps everyone. Smokers will smoke less and we're setting an example for the kids," Yoshimoto said. "This is looking out for the greater good."

yeah, you're a great example. A great example of an asshole.

quote:

"This is looking out for the greater good."

Since there are fines for bar owners for having someone caught smoking in their bar, do you suppose that the city is going to fine themselves when someone is caught smoking on a public beach???

I believe it is either the 9th or 14th amendment to the US Constitution that says something about "EQUAL PROTECTION UNDER THE LAW".
Gary K.
(Note
It is the 14th and it looks like this:

AMENDMENT XIV
Passed by Congress June 13, 1866. Ratified July 9, 1868.

Note: Article I, section 2, of the Constitution was modified by section 2 of the 14th amendment.

Section 1.
All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

Here in Illinois it could become rather funny!!

Gary K.
Imagine smoking by the front door of your local health department and having a police officer give you a ticket and assess you a fine.

According to the law, the officer must do the same to the health department.

If this happened several days in a row the fines get rather amusing.
Gary K.

SB0500 Enrolled LRB095 04425 KBJ 24470 b



AN ACT concerning public health.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Smoke Free Illinois Act.


Section 45. Violations.
(a) A person, corporation, partnership, association or
other entity who violates Section 15 of this Act shall be fined
pursuant to this Section. Each day that a violation occurs is a
separate violation.
(b) A person who smokes in an area where smoking is
prohibited under Section 15 of this Act shall be fined in an
amount that is not less than $100 and not more than $250.

A person who owns, operates, or otherwise controls a public place
or place of employment that violates Section 15 of this Act shall be fined (i) not less than $250 for the first violation,

(ii) not less than $500 for the second violation within one year after the first violation,

and (iii) not less than $2,500
for each additional violation within one year after the first violation.

Damn Gary, that's great thinking.

any idea what the law in southern california is like especially cities like santa monica burbank gary

if you want to set examples for the kids, you should not smoke any more!!