A pair of Michigan legislators have introduced bills into the legislature that seek to ban smoking on any state-owned beaches.
On Tuesday, HB 4936 was introduced by Rep. Tyrone Carter, D-Detroit, and was referred to the House Committee on Regulatory Reform, while SB 497 was introduced by Sen. Stephanie Chang, D-Wayne County, and has been sent to the Senate Committee on Health Policy and Human Services.
The bills seek to amend existing public health codes to add the term “bathing beach” to the list of places where smoking is prohibited, defining it as “a beach or bathing area that is offered to the public for recreational bathing or swimming.” The language specifies that a bathing beach does not include a public swimming pool.
Supporters say that banning smoking on beaches would both improve public health and cut down on litter. It appears that the use of e-cigarettes or vaping devices would not be subject to the ban as the bills define certain terms.
Neither bill is currently on the calendar for a hearing.