New push to ban smoking at all city beaches island-wide

A smoking ban on some city beaches could become a ban at all city beaches, if one local council member gets his wish. Inhale and exhale a cigarette and fork over $100. A smoking ban just approved for seven city beaches could soon cover every city beach on Oahu.

"If we are going to protect public health we are not going to protect public health at some of our parks and more or else ignore public health at the majority of our parks," said Honolulu City Councilman Ikaika Anderson.

Anderson said it's not just about spreading the law island-wide, but the last bill had flaws. There were specifications that didn't allow full enforcement except at Ala Moana Beach Park. He said the new bill would now fix that problem.

"The main urgency here is that we need to protect the legal flaws that are in the ordinance that the City Council passed," said Anderson.

Where there's smoke, there's fiery debate.

"I think that it's good because there's no trash and it will look nice," said Briana Kailiaha who supports the ban.

"We should be able to just pick up our own butts wherever we smoke," said beach goer Dana Kuanoo.

Click here to vote in the online poll.

Mayor Kirk Caldwell supports the expanded restrictions because he said it would get rid of the trash on the beach.

"For me when you go to the beach it's about breathing clean fresh air. It's not about getting second-hand smoke blown in your face by the trades, and it's not about putting your butts in the sand as an ashtray," said Caldwell.

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New push to ban smoking at all city beaches island-wide

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