The new year is a time for resolutions and some may want to give up smoking. It is something Oahu started banning at beaches and parks a year ago. But how is that law working out?

Click here to watch Paul Drewes's report.

Even with cooler winter temperatures, many still spent their Sunday at Ala Moana Beach Park. While there may be a little chill in the air, there is also less smoke.

"Before when we would come to the beach we would find a lot of littering and older people smoking with the kids running around. Second-hand smoking is not good. The air wasn't as clean," said Aiea resident Sheri Nii.

Now that a smoking ban has been around for a year, Nii and others are breathing a sign of relief.

"It helps that they put the ban on. The air is a lot cleaner," said Nii.

Not only is the air cleaner, so are picnic areas and beaches.

"I've seen a big difference in the amount of cigarette butts on the beach, sidewalks and on the coastlines," said Kahi Pacarro, with Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii.

How bad were things before?

"On Maui we did a cigarette butt sweep of the entire island and in two hours we found 14,000 cigarette butts," said Pacarro.

Read the original:

How effective is Oahu's smoking ban?