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Smoke Free Beaches on the Surf Coast The Surfrider Foundation first approached the Surf Coast Shire and Great Ocean Road Coastal Committee with a proposal for Smoke Free Beaches back in March 2008. The proposal is backed by a number of environmental groups including Surfers Appreciating the Natural Environment (SANE), Torquay Coast Action and Jan Juc Coast Action Cigarette butts are a major problem on our beaches. Beach surveys by the Surfrider Foundation dating back to 1995 reveal that 80% of urban beaches have cigarette butts evident and that cigarette butts form the highest percentage of litter on our beaches. Data from Clean Up Australia shows that 7 billion cigarette butts are dropped in Australia each year, a significant number end up on our beaches. “Cigarette butts are toxic time bombs containing significant pollutants that can harm wildlife and young children if swallowed. Each discarded butt contains traces of cadmium, lead, arsenic and other toxic chemicals which have a significant impact on the environment. Smoking is currently banned on many beaches around the world for environmental, The Surf Coast ban on smoking extends along approximately 55 kilometres of coast from Torquay to Lorne including the iconic Bells Beach. Surfrider Foundation Surf Coast Branch intends to work with the shire and GORCC on promoting Smoke Free Beaches and will announce a number of its own initiatives shortly. For further information contact Surfrider Foundation Surf Coast Branch submission to the |
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