California to ban smoking on all state beaches and parks

SACRAMENTO, California (AP) - California will ban smoking in state parks and beaches starting next year, under a law signed by Governor Gavin Newsom.

The law also prohibits the dumping of cigar and cigarette residues in parks and on beaches. Violations of the law will be punishable by a fine of up to 25$. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, announced on Friday that he had signed the bill.

This covers traditional cigarettes as well as the use of electric smoking devices. Smoking will still be permitted in beach and park parking lots. Film and TV productions can still allow people to smoke in public places with the appropriate permits.

Democratic Senator Steve Glazer had been advocating such a ban for years, which had been repeatedly approved by House members. But former governor Jerry Brown, a fellow Democrat, repeatedly vetoed it.

«We have many rules telling us what we can and cannot do, and these spaces are wide open,» he wrote last year.

Steve Glazer argued that such a rule would protect public health and limit pollution.

California already bans smoking near children's places, small farmers' markets, government buildings and public transportation. Cities and counties can also pass their own smoking laws.

California boasts some 280 national parks and 547 kilometers of coastline.

A legislative analysis predicts that it will cost the state park system nearly $2 million to put up more than 5,000 signs warning people of the ban and complying with various state regulations.

The legislation is supported by numerous medical and environmental groups, as well as the cities of Huntington Beach and Santa Monica. Many Republicans in the Legislature voted against the measure.