Success: Smoking and Cigarette Litter Banned from Popular Beach

Target: Richard T. Lawler, Deputy Mayor, East Hampton Village, NY

Goal: Thank the East Hampton council members for banning smoking, and thus cigarette litter, from public beaches.

Cigarette butts are the leading cause of ocean pollution, more so than plastic straws or bags. However, some local beaches are taking a step to clean our oceans of this litter by banning smoking from the public beaches. East Hampton, NY has become the latest municipality to ban smoking, and thus the habit’s litter, from beaches.

Petition such as this one have urged government officials to take a stand against the plastic filters often found on cigarettes. Research shows that these filters do not make cigarettes any healthier or safer. In fact, the only purpose they serve is to make cigarettes appear more “attractive” and contribute to the pollution of our planet.

Sign the petition to thank the East Hampton council for taking a stand against pollution. Perhaps other beaches will follow their lead. With the actions of East Hampton, perhaps cigarette butts can be eliminated from our oceans, one beach at a time.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Mr. Lawler,

Your board recently voted to ban smoking, and thus the litter cigarettes cause, from beaches and other public properties. Cigarette butts are one of the leading causes of ocean pollution, more so than plastic straws or bags. They take decades to biodegrade and find themselves in wildlife food sources.

Your actions may prompt other beaches to follow suit. Thank you for putting the safety of our planet at the forefront. Perhaps we can help clean our oceans, one beach at a time.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo Credit: Lindsay Fox