“We know there is a lot of hazard that comes with secondhand smoke.”
Muskegon vice mayor Rebecca St. Clair says she is concerned about the danger of secondhand smoke, and there are also the cigarette butts on the beach.
“If I had a dollar for every time I saw somebody flip their cigarette butt and walk away I could retire.”
Jan Kochema is one of the volunteers who go out once a month during the summer to pick up cigarette butts on Pere Marquette Beach.
“Average number for the past four years is 4,610 cigarette butts. This is just one day a month for those four summer months.”
But the majority of people addressing commissioners during public comment at their recent meeting do not support a smoking ban at the beach or in the park.
“I just think it’s a waste of resources.”
“I would really like to understand where this is coming from because personally not being a smoke I don’t feel the need to legislate.”
The smoking ban could come up at a future commission meeting after staff has an opportunity to consider amendments, Commissioner Jay Kilgo is especially concerned about a vaping ban.
“We must balance public health with personal freedoms especially in open outdoor environments.”
