No Butts on Oceanside Beaches?

by Roberta Murphy

Near-naked butts are fine, but the smoking kind are now off limits at almost all San Diego beaches.

The most recent prohibition against smoking on beaches comes from San Diego’s northernmost city, Oceanside.

And although tickets are not currently being issued there, signs will be going up after Labor Day advising everyone of the ban on smoking at Oceanside’s beaches. This recent legislation was a result of 9000 residents responding last year to city survey, and coming out in support of the smoking ban.

It seems many don’t like the idea–or reality–of their local beaches being used as an ashtray; however, the smoking prohibition will likely not be enforced by lifeguards, who are charged with water and personal safety. They might, however, remind errant smokers if complaints are made.
Oceanside joins other cities including San Diego, El Cajon, Imperial Beach, National City, Del Mar and Solana Beach in prohibiting smoking in their parks and/or at their beaches.

Encinitas has yet to ban smoking at its beaches–and smoking is currently allowed at the State Beach in South Carlsbad.