Beach bums told to butt out

SYDNEY – Smokers on Sydney’s Manly beach, one of Australia’s most famous and picturesque stretches of sand, have had sand kicked in their face by local councillors who have banned lighting up.

Manly council voted late on Monday to become Australia’s first local authority to stamp out smoking at a beach. Smoking is already banned in most public places in Australia Manly’s golden sands nestle just north of the entrance to Sydney’s landmark harbour and it now joins Los Angeles in keeping butts its off beaches.Manly Mayor Peter Macdonald said his council was acting because of the environmental impact of discarded butts, as well as the problem of passive smoking.No-smoking signs will be erected along the beach and near children’s play areas.”I guess this is a bit of trailblazing but the important thing that’s going to come out of it is it de-normalises smoking,” Macdonald said.The ban was put in place after residents and beach users had complained about the environmental impact of discarded butts on the beach and in waterways, as well as the problem of second-hand smoke.More Australian councils have promised to join Manly in clearing the air on their beaches, including the iconic Bondi.”At any time, there’s 700 000 cigarette butts on Bondi beach,” said Waverley Mayor Peter Moscatt.- Nampa-ReutersSmoking is already banned in most public places in Australia Manly’s golden sands nestle just north of the entrance to Sydney’s landmark harbour and it now joins Los Angeles in keeping butts its off beaches.Manly Mayor Peter Macdonald said his council was acting because of the environmental impact of discarded butts, as well as the problem of passive smoking.No-smoking signs will be erected along the beach and near children’s play areas.”I guess this is a bit of trailblazing but the important thing that’s going to come out of it is it de-normalises smoking,” Macdonald said.The ban was put in place after residents and beach users had complained about the environmental impact of discarded butts on the beach and in waterways, as well as the problem of second-hand smoke.More Australian councils have promised to join Manly in clearing the air on their beaches, including the iconic Bondi.”At any time, there’s 700 000 cigarette butts on Bondi beach,” said Waverley Mayor Peter Moscatt.- Nampa-Reuters