Cigarette Smokers May Lose Refuge on Beach

Re “L.A. Considers Beach Smoking Ban,” Oct. 15: So now the latest battlefield in the anti-smoking crusade takes us to the beach. Those cigarette butts are nasty, I suppose, but so is the litter of cans, bottles, food wrappers, uneaten food and God knows what else. But let’s single out the cigarette smokers. The air quality in L.A. is iffy, even on a nice, breezy day at the beach, but let’s single out the cigarette smokers. Secondhand smoke at the beach? Give me a break. I’m more worried about what’s in the water at Santa Monica than what’s in the air.

You’d think the L.A. City Council would have more important things to do than spend time on a proposal banning smoking at public beaches. But what do I know? I’m just a nonsmoker who is tired of the politically correct cigarette police vilifying smokers because it’s so easy to do. I don’t want to be in a room full of smoke either, but I’m willing to share my beach next to a guy who wants to light up.

Bruce Phillips

Los Angeles