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July 3, 2007

The state to ask you not to smoke at the beach

The state Departments of Environmental Management and Health hope to encourage smokers not to light up on Rhode Island’s state beaches.

They’re expecting to announce the start of a voluntary no-smoking initiative at all state beaches on Thursday afternoon at Misquamicut State Beach in Westerly.

Cigarettes are the No. 1 source of litter on beaches, according to the DEM. They can also sicken children and wildlife who may ingest cigarette butts left in the sand. Still-smoldering butts can burn those who step on them.

The idea for a voluntary no-smoking initiative began when legislative proposals came before the General Assembly this year. Rather than pursue a statutory ban on smoking at state beaches, a number of parties agreed to pursue a voluntary initiative.

-- projo.com staff writer Kate Bramson

Posted by Kate Bramson  at 3:50 PM | Permalink

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