Smokers face statewide boot after Torquay call to… ‘Ban beach butts’

Alex de Vos
A statewide ban on smoking on beaches could start in Torquay after an environmental group demanded Surf Coast Shire kick smokers off the sand.
Quit Victoria has backed Surfrider Foundation’s John Foss in his call for a beach smoking ban at Torquay.
Surf Coast Mayor Dean Webster cautiously supported Mr Foss.
Quit Victoria’s Fiona Sharkie said smoking should be banned on all Victorian beaches for environmental and public health reasons.
“Cigarette butts are the number-one litter problem in Australian – it’s a huge problem,” Ms Sharkie said.
“I think the Victorian Government has done a lot in creating smoke-free environments and it (banning smoking on beaches) is the next step.
“We certainly support a ban on smoking on beaches and encourage Surf Coast Shire to take action.”
Smoking is banned on some beaches in Sydney and Queensland.
Last year Western Australia’s City of Joonadalup followed their lead with a $50 fine for lighting up on beaches.
“They’ve had terrific public support and compliance has been very high,” Ms Sharkie said.
Mr Foss said he called for the ban after growing sick of finding cigarette butts in the sand.
He said the last straw was when he saw his one-year-old daughter picking up a cigarette butt while playing in the sand and attempting to put it in her mouth.
“I was disgusted that my daughter can’t go to the beach and play without having to deal with cigarette butts,” Mr Foss said.
He was disappointed many anti-litter campaigns in the region had failed.
“People still drop their cigarette butts on our beaches and near coastal lookouts,” Mr Foss said.
“For many smokers the anti-litter message just isn’t getting through.”
Cr Webster said he would support a smoking ban on the region’s beaches if it could be enforced.
“I definitely don’t support cigarette butts being thrown on the ground,” Cr Webster said,
“If it’s (smoking ban on beaches) enforceable and achievable then I think it would be effective.”