Marshfield beaches become smoke-free
Published on June 29, 2009 6:15 AM
Last week Marshfield Town Administration almost unanimously voted for the amendment that would ban smoking cigarettes on the public beaches in Marshfield. This amendment was introduced following the complaint of Jamie Delgado, the 16-year-old Marshfield High School student, who wrote a letter to the mayor saying that town’s beaches are almost covered with cigarette butts; therefore, something has to be done in order to change this grievous situation.
Thus, local authorities decided to ban smoking on the beaches, stating that was the only effective solution to keep the beaches clean and of attractive for tourists and local visitors.
In her turn, Jamie Delgado said that it was a great honor for her to be the “initiator” of the latest amendment, but it would be very difficult to comply with that article. However, she said she hopes that it would be self-enforced
“I believe that the majority of our residents and guests would comply with that law, since it is vital for the ecology of the beaches and public health. Of course, there won’t be any 24-hour SWAT group arresting every smoker on the beach. It would be simply a matter of respect of the local regulations since overwhelming part of town’s laws are self enforced,” she said.
Marshfield High School student added that her friends that live in the towns were similar laws have been passed admitted that such measures have a positive impact, since the beaches became more clear.
Keith Polansky, the Chairman of the Advisory Board said they have voted against passing this amendment because they approved a littering on the beaches bylaw just some time ago.
Other citizens who were against the approval of this bylaw named it discriminatory, and said that it would not be as effective as authorities considered.
“They have already implemented an enormous $300 fine for littering, and I believe that is an unthinkable sum of money anywhere throughout the country,” local teacher Harvey Johns admitted. Being myself smoker, I do not throw out my cigarette butts or other litter on the beach or anywhere else, so I consider this amendment as an insult of smokers.”
Another Marshfield resident said that he always has a special bag where he puts his cigarette butts, thus if he could not smoke on the beach anymore he simply would not go there. He added that the bylaw seemed ridiculous from the beginning and it hurt smokers’ rights.
Jason Hughes complained that imposing constant restrictions infringes human rights and freedoms especially for those senior citizens that have been hooked on cigarettes for decades.
Other Marshfield residents praised Delgado efforts.
“It’s namely this attitude from the next generation of our citizens that we want,” admitted Yvonne Price. “This is related to the preservation of the natural resources and ecology, not some simple restrictions,” said Carrie Barns
