Every year when the sun starts to come out, citizens of Wilmington and surrounding areas head to Wrightsville Beach to soak up the rays and take a dip in the water.  The people who head to Wrightsville Beach go to escape stress and relax, but when they reach the beach they are confronted with second-hand smoke and cigarette butts littering the cool sand. The Mayor of Wrightsville Beach, David Cignotti, and a committee are coming together to try to correct the issue. 

 

“In response to citizen concerns, an environmental committee called the Cleaner Greener Committee was formed,” said Cignotti.

 

The smoking ban will not only address the health concerns of those who do not smoke, but it will help keep used cigarette butts off of the shoreline.

 

“I had to stop a little boy from eating a cigarette butt one time. His parents didn’t realize what he was doing until I kind of yelled for him to stop. I felt bad for my abrupt outburst, but I couldn’t let him eat that,” said Scott Presley, a visitor of Wrightsville Beach.

 

The smoking ban was brought up in 2010 after citizens of Wrightsville Beach had urged the committee to install the ban with concerns of health hazards for their children. Despite the efforts of the citizens, the ban was voted against with a 3-2 vote. The Cleaner Greener Committee had asked for the board to reconsider the issue, but the decision was put off.

 

“The Board of Aldermen denied a request to revisit the smoking ban, but agreed to discuss the topic again after the summer of 2011,” said Cignotti.

 

On March 8, 2012, the smoking ban issue will be discussed at a public hearing for beach goers and residents to voice their opinions. After the hearing, the Board of Aldermen will make a decision.

 

“The goal is to get input from citizens to assist the Board of Aldermen in making a decision,” said Cignotti. “Hopefully, the board will make a decision that supports the views of the majority of the public.”

 

If the smoking ban is voted for, beach ambassadors will walk the shoreline to spread the word about the ban. There will be those who will ignore the ban and continue to smoke on the beach, but there will be fines put in place to help prevent this.

 

“The fine would be similar to our fines for dog waste, which [is] $250. This is not about rabid enforcement but more about educating the public,” said Cignotti

 

According to the National Capitol Poison Center, ingestion of more than one cigarette butt can cause serious symptoms in a toddler. In Wilmington, and many other cities across the United States, cigarette butts have become the number one source of littering.

 

“I would definitely be against the ban. I’m a smoker and enjoy the beach. However, I understand the littering aspect of the issue. I wouldn’t want my child to eat a butt and get sick because of it,” said Sara Hollenbeck. “If people would be more responsible about their trash this wouldn’t even be an issue.”