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FAIRFIELD, Conn. Imagine youre enjoying a beautiful afternoon on one of Fairfields beaches. What aromas come to mind? Saltwater? Burgers and hot dogs? What about cigarette smoke? Fairfields Parks and Recreation Commission is testing a way to get rid of that last one, by limiting smoking on Fairfields beaches. For many of our readers, the change cant come soon enough.
Disgusting, wrote Mark Beyerly on TheDailyFairfields Facebook page. Surf, sun, fresh air and smoke? I don't think so!
On Twitter, Jennifer Hochberg shared those sentiments. The Fairfield resident and Representative Town Meeting member wrote, Smoking on the beach = disgusting esp. when they leave butts in the sand/when its crowded, 2ndhand smoke not good!
Complaints from some residents last summer persuaded the Parks and Recreation Commission to look into creating designated smoking areas on Fairfields beaches. In January, the board decided to install a test program at Jennings this summer. Two areas near the rear of the beach bear signs saying Designated Smoking Area and have containers for smokers to discard their cigarette butts. The board also banned smoking at all concession stands.
Its a small step, but a good one, Parks and Recreation Commission Chair Ellery Plotkin said at the time. The commission will decide whether to expand the idea to the four other shoreline beaches and Lake Mohegan after the 2011 beach season ends. Recreation Director Gerald Lombardo said at last months board meeting that the program was difficult to enforce but moving along.
Should the commission decide to move to cut down on smoking at all beaches, itll have support from at least a few Fairfielders. Elizabeth Kochor said via Facebook that she thinks smoking at the beach is Horrible!
It just adds to the existing pollution problem on all beach areas, she added. Second-hand smoke and cigarette butts are not eco-friendly to people or the environment.
What do you think about smoking at Fairfields beaches? Tell us your ideas in the comments below.
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