Smokers of California (and surrounding states), be aware that we were just a few votes away from losing all smoking privileges on California state-run beaches. Sure, many of the little communities up and down the coast have already started kicking out our butts, but we are still welcomed at some of the more laid back places like Ocean Beach in San Diego, where as long as you can tolerate the boulders of dog poop and the homeless guy sleeping next to you, you can light up and enjoy. But many of the Rob Reiner-like assembly folk in Sacramento want to make sure that our secondhand smoke doesn't sully the salty air. Actually, they claim that their aim is keeping the litter off of their beaches, a stance that most smokers, including myself, have no problem with. But the solution isn't to outlaw something--the act of smoking--that is legal. How about punishing the very act of littering? I guess it makes too much sense.
In case you're curious or planning a visit to Southern California, here's a map of beach communities that love to spend your cigarette tax but that don't want you to enjoy your cigarette on their beach. Plan accordingly.
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