Old concerns and new members dominated the regularly scheduled meeting of the Pacific Beach Town Council (PBTC), 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 17, at the Earl and Birdie Taylor Library, 4275 Cass St.
Revisiting the Tobacco Control Ordinance discussed in April, the PBTC voted 31-4 to endorse the proposed smoking ban on city beaches, bays and parks by writing a letter of support to City Council. PBTC member Art Larson made the motion, which was seconded by fellow member John Logan.
“At the last trash cleanup it was almost all cigarette butts. Someone who might not throw trash on the beach has no problem throwing cigarettes,” said PBTC member Karl Jaedtke following the meeting. A smoker who supports the ban, Jaedtke added, “I don’t think smoking should be outlawed, but the beaches are [treated like] a giant ash tray.”
The ordinance would not apply to the boardwalk. Many council members, including residents who live in oceanfront homes, voiced concerns about smokers congregating by the beaches.
Others wondered whether a ban could be enforced as city budget cuts continue to reduce the number of enforcement officers patrolling local streets.
At the council’s April meeting, Adrian Kwiatkowski of the American Lung Association said he believed the ban would be self-enforcing. Citing the success of similar bans in Los Angeles and Orange counties, he explained that once smoking is not allowed, people change their behavior.
