The smoking ban at all San Diego beaches and parks goes into effect today. The law was passed in June by the City Council to cut down on litter and second-hand smoke. San Diego Lifeguard John Liddle says initially beachgoers will be told about the new law and asked to put out their cigarettes.
Liddle: Our role as Lifeguards and safety service personal are going to be a strictly an educational basis to tell people that there is an ordinance on the beaches and in the parks. We are going to ask them not to smoke and to put their cigarettes out and eventually if things get worse we will have to write citations, but that will be a last resort for us.
Liddle says the primary focus of the lifeguards will be the safety of beachgoers.
Violators of the smoking ban face a $250 fine.
