Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed another bill that would have banned smoking in California’s state parks and beaches. One tobacco company, Commonwealth Brands, had publicly opposed the ban, arguing it would infringe on smokers’ rights.
“I’m sorry the governor did not agree with this widely supported effort to increase public awareness about the environmental threats carelessly tossed cigarettes are doing to our marine life and to the great outdoors,” Oropeza said in a statement.
Schwarzenegger told lawmakers the best way to discourage people from leaving cigarette butts at beaches and parks is to increase fines and penalties.