Maine banning smoking at public beaches?

Apparently Maine has a passed a bill into law banning smoking at public beaches, state parks, and other public attractions. The smokers are of course up in arms about it.

"What next, I won't be able to smoke in my back yard?" They say. Well, no, that will not happen. You see, Mr. Smoker, your back yard is private property, not public property. And as long as your smoke isn't annoying someone on public property, you are fine.

One of the factors cited in the passing of the law was the improper disposal of butts. Yes, there is nothing more disgusting than walking a beach littered with butts. I do realize that the vast majority of smokers do not dispose of their waste in such a manner, but unfortunately we must make a blanket law in this case.

You smokers can cry violation of civil liberties all you want. The bottom line, however, is that you have chosen to engage in an activity that is a hazard to the health of other people around you. Secondhand smoke is an infringement on other people's health. This makes people who do not smoke not able to go to public places of their choosing.

What we have here is an infringement of civil liberties on both parties. Given the choice, the party who is voluntarily causing a health hazard should be the party who takes the brunt of the legislation. You chose to start smoking, knowing it is a hazard to you and others around you. It is a problem to me when you choose to sit next to me and I inhale your smoke. Go away.

There are many hazards that come along with smoking. The obvious is cancer and other respiratory diseases that the smoker and people exposed to secondhand smoke can come down with. The less obvious, but still important in terms of public beaches and forests, is the disposal of butts. Not only can they start fires, but the butts themselves are a hazard to animals that may eat them; They are a hazard to children who may play with them; Lastly they also do no biodegrade, so when deposited in a public place we need to spend money to have someone else pick them up lest they become unsightly.

If you would like more information see the bill here: http://www.mpbn.net/News/MaineNews/tabid/181/ctl/ViewItem/mid/1858/ItemId/10514/Default.aspx