BEACHES: Time to ban smoking

As summer approaches, I look forward to taking my children to the great beaches we have in the area. One thing, however, I am not looking forward to is smelling smoke as I lay on my towel, and having my 3-year-old build sandcastles with cigarette butts. It seems that many smokers feel the need to smoke when they are sun-bathing, and then do not consider it littering to bury their butts in the sand. They don’t seem to realize that although we are outdoors, they are causing the entire area to be permeated with the smell, and the butts are dug up by children hoping to establish a monarchy in their bit of sand.

The worst offenders are at the beaches on the way to Higgens Point. The alcohol consumption and the small area of the beaches make it almost unpleasant to take children.

I hope the city of Coeur d’Alene considers a ban on smoking on public beaches, as it would greatly increase the enjoyment for all citizens.

CORY JASMIN

Hayden