Idiots, I can see our European visitors changing their next winter destinations. Personally we sold our property here in Naples 3 years ago and bought in N.Carolina but we were thinking about getting back into it until this nonsense surfaced. There are alresdy laws against littering so enforce those on the beach before you infringe on another individual freedom. On the other hand if the US Government makes tobacco products illegal then that solves the problem but that won't happen any time soon. Think tax revenues.

... public beaches?? How much money comes into Collier County from European tourists?

We have a lot of tourists coming from Europe to vacation here... and many of them still smoke. Do you really want to send European tourists elsewhere to spend their money? How many businesses rely on the tourists to put food on their tables?

I assume smokers are use to designated areas for their vices. I think it is foolish to tell tourists that they cannot smoke in Naples. It will have a trickle down economic effect. Whoever is suggesting this law does not rely on tourists to put food on their table.

It would be nice if no one smoked but forcing tourists to take a vacation elsewhere is not the way to do it.

Enforce the littering laws on the beach without kicking out the bread and butter of the County.

I don't smoke but can't see any harm in smoking on the ocean beach. I do wish people would not "flick" their butts on the sand.

I even got a $250.00 "warning ticket on Keywaytin Island because my little 15 pound dog was "not on a leash", and that is an Island! Only in Naples!

What a bunch of crap! Aren't there more important things to do than to try to ban a LEGAL product?

If tobacco is that bad Mr. Barnett then Ban the product from being sold in Naples. Oh yes that would be a problem because Tobacco is LEGAL!!!!

No brainer.
If you smoke, take your butts with you.
That goes for diapers, plastic bottles, and all of the other trash that inconsiderate people leave on our beaches.
If people only picked up after themselves, there would be no need for these laws.

So if this law passes, and you see somebody smoking a cigarette on the beach, do you call 911?

And what next? Ban smoking in cars?
How about banning all fried foods and overweight people.

What a crock,
I'm with Bill Willkomm.
Barnett is living in a dream world.

And the Naples Pier ???

Try enforcing this brainless idea on the scores of some of the original Naples natives who fish the pier during Spring Snook season.
What a crock!

Can we get a ban on overweight people in speedos and bikini's, its polluting my vision please. I am actually more offended by the above, than someone enjoying a cigar on the beach.

Good for Naples City Council . We don't like to lay our butts on butts . And, other litter for that matter.
Keep Beaches, Water, Air and Environment clean . It's a public right to expect and enjoy clean, litter free water and beaches.

how about putting the effort into getting rid of gangs...to hard?

I think they should also ban farting on the beach, it is not pleasant walking along the pier and someone cuts on

Also no one should be taking off their shoes, unless there was a doctor scholls odor eater in the shoe, and make it part of the clean air act.

I do not smoke, which of my rights will be taken away next.

And another piece of personal responcibility is taken away.

Just a little piece. Who will notice?

A bit here, a smidgen over there, a small tad back there.

Hey its all for the children right?

But less time and places for smoking means less money for the S-CHIP program.

Nice.

The Health Nazi's are at it again.

This is response to what great demand?

Barnett's still a clown...the circus is
just bigger this year!

This is a terrible idea. After a long hard week of working there are few things I enjoy more than a cold drink and a cigar on the beach with a good book.

Naples has turned into it's own little "police state" under surveilance... can't we just designate the smoking area right next to the red tide zone. The irrigation police can troll neighborhoods all night issuing citations to violators and then when the sun comes up they can head for the beaches to do the same to those awful smokers. Butt patrol to the peir! Stat!

Beaches with no frisbee, limited volleyball, in most places no dogs- leashed or otherwise, no bbq's, no alcohol, no fires (unless you're a multi-million dollar hotel because multi-millionaire's have a few rights left) And now no smoking because someone in City Hall recently quit and now just can't stand the sight of it. City Hall sends this message: Vacationers can't relax and certainly shouldn't have fun activities at the beach, workers should just move out and natives should stay quiet. Welcome to the paradise of Naples where no one is really welcome!

NP....there are littering laws and they aren't being enforced. How do you expect the smoking ban to be enforced? You people are ridiculous...

Amen Philly.

I hate cigarette smoke. I avoid places where smokers congregate. It stinks and is documented to be unhealthy.

That being said, I fully agree with Philly. If they aren't enforcing the anti-littering laws, how the heck can they enforce a no smoking ordinance? Dumb idea.

If smokers comply with the anti-littering laws, let them smoke. If they don't find a way to go after them for littering....enforce the existing laws!

I can easily avoid most of the smoke and have no plans to linger around the smokers, but for the city to go to this level is nuts.

So all the smokers will just light them up just off the sand.Everybody will have to walk thru a cloud of smoke going to the beach.

carefull what you wish for.

Dear Mayor Bill,
Who are you trying to impress?? I find that people who take up a stand as you have are trying to impress someone they know as to make a impression for their own gains. My belief is that a loss in tourism dollars and a dislike for you could be bad at the polls on election day. You may end up like the clay figure from Saturday Night Live on Election Day, Crushed by an overwhelming vote for your opposition, Oh No!!! Mr. Bill !!
There are more important things to take a stand on!
I Agree with the majority of response you read here!
DON'T mess with peoples freedoms it will bite you where you don't want to be bitten. Enforce the laws that are in place this does not cost
JOHN J. TAXPAYER extra that he cannot afford already. Remember gas prices are still going up and there are fewer jobs available since the housing collapse here. That took my job away three months ago and I still am looking . You have a job now and till the next election but who knows how that vote will go?
Just a reminder that you work for the people not the the chosen few!
The people voted you in and the people will vote you out.
MWVS

Well here they go again, what dumb!%*'s. If you can't on the beaches, pier, parks etc.. Then the city of Naples should not be able to or recieve any tax revenue, from the sales on the banned products. So think about this, the largest sector of revenue for this town is tourism! So you'd better think this out before you act. I know a large group of people from other countries, who have quit visiting here, because of B.S. like NO SMOKEING on the beach... Give me a break. The whole lot of them should be impeached, and replaced with reasonable people, who have the communities best interest at heart, instead of thier own personal agenda.

If smokers were more respectful it would not have come to this decision. I agree with this decision. This is about ethics in public property. Smoke all you want in the privacy of your own residence. However, there will be repercussions in regards to the future tourism revenue.

Finally, acting like the environment-friendly Californians-- YES! It is about time you caught up to Californians--where they care about these things! I rarely see anyone over 30 years old smoke, and no smoking on beaches here in Santa Cruz, California! IT IS About time, as one of the things I hated to see at the lovely beaches in Naples, was cig butts and smell that gross smell of smoke. It kind of ruins the whole experience.

Sorry stjames why don't you take your whiney #$*, and go back to CA, the land of fruits and nuts and those that aren't fruits or nuts are flakes. BTW while your headed that way take a car load of illegals with you, drop a few in TX,NM, and AZ, then the rest you can let out in CA. Ya'll let them across the border, not us crackers...

If this ordinance is passed it will hurt two things your pocketbook and your civil liberties.

The precendence of an ordinance like this has only been seen in California where littering laws have not worked before. The beach and sand here in Naples is clean.

Our mayor is out of touch with the community and encroaching on civil liberties.

I do not smoke ciggerattes. But anyone over 18 has the legal right to smoke in a public place.

This is a good start for anyone who wants to get involved in a grassroots effort. It would be really easy to get this ordinance stopped.

Get Involved

myspace.com/archangerrock

Also, it is a good idea as I remember stepping on a lite cigarette butt when I was a child. Stop whining about your rights to smoke--it is proven deadly and it makes you ugly and wrinkled!

This is insane. I spend a lot of time picking up trash while on the beaches and a few butts here and there is nothing compared to the empty bottles, cans, diapers, food wrappers, fishing line & broken chairs to mention a few. I'd much rather sit on a butt than a stinky diaper or sharp can. How 'bout the dead fish, and seaweed? Europeans will NOT like this and WILL go elsewhere. Ask the Naples Beach Hotel what they think!!! It is so ridiculous that the NPD can't enforce current beach laws ... how are they going to enforce this stupid idea. I also have witnessed, and called beach patrol many, many times about visitors taking live sand dollars by the bag full - rarely do I see anyone enforce that either ... which is of much greater concern to me than a few butts. Selective control of our civil rights ... NO WAY!

Wow! Just think of the money the I'll save in parking by not going to the beach any more (I'm a smoker)! I've already saved quite of bit by not going to restraurants since the smoking ban there went into effect.

What's next? Hey, Mississippi has a neat idea of banning obese people from being served in restraurants. Naples could do that. Or go one step further and ration food to fat folks in grocery stores.

More ideas: ban all cars save for Beamers, Mercedes, and Jags in Naples. Ban ugly people from shopping at high dollar retailers. Ban all movies at the theaters save for those artsy films that require a half of a dozen college degrees to appreciate, and impliment an automatic 30 days in jail for anyone caught enjoying themselves. Ban children from parks; they only mess up the scenery and make a lot of noise.

Captain Scotty: That old line about fruits and nuts is so old! Also, the computer you are using is from the brains in Silicon Valley! So, stop with the trashing of California--we are lightyears ahead, and we also give you the real fruit and veggies--be thankful! Find some new material when it comes to putting down California--I have heard it all and it is totally bogus.

stjames40,
There's worst things than smoking cigarettes like sucking in lungfuls of low level mustard gas and/or radioactive dust. How about months of black smoke from burning oil wells? Worse is puking your guts from radiation poisoning and coughing up black gunk while your government tells you that the crap is harmless.

I lived in Naples for over seven years, and the comments here remind me why I moved back to the state of California--home of innovation, open mindedness, and intellectual pursuits. Good bye crackers and mid-westerners, and racism.

If the lazy emploeeys watching the beach can not even stop pelicans and other wildlife from being killed by fishermen, how in the world will they manage this? WHAT A JOKE! Why not ENFORCE the littering laws? I am more annoyed by the ugly people walking the beach, the kids screaming, and dead fish on the beach than a little smoke!

Besides all one has to do is put out the cigarette before the cop catches you! Then there is no evidence. Also, can't wait to see the fat patrol officers in uniform chasing smokers. LOL That should also include ALL hotels on the beach where the smoke could filter into the public space. For example the Sunset beach Bar at Naples Beach Hotel. That means you can stand on their patio and blow smoke towards the beach?! LOL

If one stands in the water and smokes is it considered legal?????????

This is why elected officials should serve only one term. If they stay in too long they go insane and come up with stupid ideas.

What a bunch of bull sh it!

There is a huge difference between why a ordinance like this would be needed in CA and not here in Naples.

I was a resident of CA. I saw the beach there first hand.

People are allowed to drive, have bon fires, pets and camp on the beach. There is a lot more sand before you reach the water. Giving people a lot more chance to pollute.

Not to mention the population of Santa Cruz is double that of Naples leading to the pollution problem.

The BEACHES AND PARKS IN NAPLES ARE CLEAN. This is a preventive action that encroaches on civil liberties.

myspace.com/archangerrock

Sorry to tell you, that your rights end where others begin. So, there are few personal rights in a community--get use to it and and stop claiming your rights--entitlement attitudes get old quickly. Also, for those who are avoiding moving back because of this---stay in North Carolina.

boone 1, the population of Santa Cruz is 1/8 of Naples, and no smoking, dogs, etc. There are a few beaches for dogs and never any for smoking. It is not considered a breach of ones personal rights. It is considered wise--avoiding second-hand smoke--that kills.

Second hand smoke kills? How about the smoke from car exhaust fumes? Does that kill too?

Stjames40- If tobacco was that lethal than we have a moral obligation to ban the sale of it.
But tobacco taxes are too sweet...almost a Billion a year in Fl alone!!

Quick ...Call the CIA... Cigarette In Action on quadrant 51. Quick ... dump that beer on Quadrant 43 - it's no good for you either - hurts your liver. Quick Call the FBI ... Fat Boy in Action in quadrant 16... pull that pizza from that fat man's mouth - he's going to cost us tax payers money with his obesity and related health problems. Quick ...

I enjoy a good cigar at sunset a few times a year and I take the butt with me after I put it out. City council: do not become so politically correct that you make people fear the little atv guy. It's bad enough we have to hide our 1-2 beers when he putters by us, now this?
If you see a smoker leaving butts. kindly remind them, "Excuse me, I think you forgot your cigarette butts." I have done it and it worked out well. I have never smoked cigarettes, but this ban is going too far. Think about this law/ordinance for a while please before rushing into it.

Let's see here STJAMES, CA, wasn't there a recall on hundreds of cases of spinich, some sort of a bacterial infestation, then wasn't that downer cow plant in CA? What else oh yeah earthquakes, wild fires, more gangs than anywhere else in the US. Yeah sounds like a great place for a free thinker like you.

I'll take what FL farmers grow, and whats the govenator gonna due when he can't smoke his hundred dollar cuban cigars here on the beach?

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

James40

Naples fluctuates in population. SantaCruz has a much bigger year long population. And i have been on the beach with a dog and a bonfire. Some of my friends were smoking ciggerates.

UC at Santa Cruz is a pretty big school. And get togethers at the beach were common place. Involving bonfires and smoking. (a couple of miles from the boardwalk)

That was circa 2004.

Second hand smoke is bad. Avoiding it is wise. However prohibiting the source of the smoke is considered encroachment on a free society.

You only limit your freedoms when you let them get taken away. Like we have on the federal level.

If someone doesnt like second hand smoke. Relocate. The world is ours to share, the good and the bad.

We will not change it through prohibition only through education.

It is amazing how many people believe that it is their right to pollute the air other people breathe. I would love to bring in a fogger and exercise my right to pollute the air and whine that I am just exercising my right and what else will they take away. We can't smoke anywhere...waa waa waa
Welcome to civilization...Be a progressive thinker, unless the smoke did some severe neural damage. If you want to ruin your health and cause discomfort don't let me stop you. Cough both lungs up then take another drag...
No one wants to hear "we can't quit either"...There are about a dozen ways to quit, go find one that works.
First it was the airlines who were at the forefront...More to come.
If smoking happens to be your idea of a good time...sorry for your limited thinking
People may even be more apt to visit Naples when they realize they don't have to endure chain smokers.

Before this turns into a smoker vs non smoker

Let me address the people that are concerned for the proggressive thinking saving the enviroment and health of those around you.

It is a wonderful idea. And everyone should abide by it. I suggest you mandate that on your private property you not allow anyone to smoke especially if there are children around.

However when it comes to a PUBLIC place. That all taxpayers keep up. Everyone has a say on what they can do there. So it has to come before the people or the community before such an ordinance can be put into place.

BEACHES AND PARKS. No need in Naples.

If there is a chain smoker on a basketball court. Move to the next basketball court, then pull out your videophone and make a video so you can laugh.

If there is a chain smoker on the beach move where you wont be affected by the smoke. If that person does not pick up his or her butts. It is up to you to pick up the butts for that person. But i would.

That is the sense of a community. A close knit community that does not resort to fining people because they dont agree with their personal choices.

myspace.com/archangerrock

Talking about rights, shouldn't I have the right as a business owner to open up a restraurant for smokers only? Or maybe have one where the smoking section is inside (so the atmosphere isn't contaminated), and have the non-smoking section outside?

LEAVE THE SMOKERS ALONE!

But the ALCHOLIC law makers have no problem with drinking which kills more mothers and children on our highways and biways than cig smoke!

It's KENNEDY logic at work in Collier County!

Councilman Bill Willkomm is about the only one on the council with something between his ears.

There are restaurants in Naples that are smoking allowed, Illiar.

Castaways off of Davis Blvd. for example.

Current restaurants that allow smoking are grandfathered in and claim "private club" status and ignore the ordinance because the county can't close them down, only fine them, which they ignore.

Fines would probably occur at time of sale would be my guess.

This type of restrictions are just here in US or in any other countries?as far as I know in any other country south of the border you can lay down at the beach order,drinks form the bar and you'll be served drinks right there.

I can see it now, the nonsmokers with nothing better to do turning in the nonsmokers. Can they make citizen arrests...LOL Y'all think the economy is bad now wait until the smoking tourists here this one or maybe even get fined for smoking on the beach. And if the Europeans don't understand will they be exempt from the law. I just don't see the feasibility of this law. Don't the police have more important things to do then lurk for smokers. I myself am not a smoker or a litterer. Pick up your trash! That would be the solution instead of a ban.

Rampant lawlessness amidst civilization?!?

Listen people..
Here is the formula:

TIGHT BUDGETS = CREATIVE WAYS of REVENUE GENERATION

BEACH SMOKING FINES = REVENUE
REVENUE= MORE GOVT.
----------
For those who think this is about public safety better think again!
Since when did the govt ever do anything in the interest of the people.

For that matter, why is this all of the sudden an issue ? Why wasn't it enacted years prior?

TIGHT BUDGETS = CREATIVE REVENUE IDEAS!

That's true jagv0565.

America is loosing its freedoms everyday. That is one thing I love about Countries south of the border.

Good post sanibeleyez..

Like the Naples City Keystone cops have nothing better to do.
What a joke!

From what I've heard from tourists from Europe they don't have the problems with smokers like we do here. There you have smokers sitting next to nonsmokers in many public situations and no one whines about the smoke except for some of the American tourists over there.

I started this thread but I don't for a second think I'll finish it but Illiar's #49 reminds me of a sign I noticed on a bar/restauraunt door in Eagle Vail,Co.many years ago. It was at eye level on the main door. There are no "No smoking" areas in this establishment" I ate there at least 5 times in my two week ski vacation and it was always busy.Not many kids which was an added bonus.

Its just matter of good manners and education,if I smock I try stay away from other people even if I know that they smock too unless I know them.

eltuna, a cigarette smoker polluting your air at the beach? pleeeease! do you sit downwind of all the smokers? Usually when I am at the beach there is alot more wind there than east of it. Do you drive, do you idle at a red light or turn your car off every time you stop? Where's those fumes going. Who's breathing around your car? Hmmmm???

While I dislike the smell of cigarettes, I think this law is ridiculous. When I'm at Lowdermilk, most of the people are not smoking. I'd think this one thru again.

Want some reasonable talk about banning butts on the beach?

First off, if YOU smoke at the beach & I am near you then I smoke at the beach. Secondhand smoke causes cancer plus it really stinks too. Smokers don't seem to understand that they stink, you just plain smell bad, like dirty laundry.

PLUS you put your butts out on MY beach and just leave them there. You flip them away lit when you are walking and due to the nature of the beach barefoot people step on lit butts (I've done more then once). Or you flip them into MY water which polutes it even more.

If you want to smoke do it in the privacy of your own homes, not in a place where other people are paying for the time and space.

Sorry to tell you this but smoking is a sign of a low-life, just as tattoos are a sign of a low-life. It's an economic stigma for you to smoke (or have tattos). And it's stupid...it kills 440 THOUSAND people per year but big business keeps the political forces in place to keep their drugs available to the public.

And someday we're going to make smoking tobaco illegal, like smoking crack.

YearRoundResident:
GREAT POST. My thoughts EXACTLY.
Smoking STINKS!!!!
Rotten teeth, sickening breath, dying gums, the list goes on and on.
Went to Encinitas over Christmas, the cleanest beach I have ever been on, outside of Maui. Not ONE person complaining about not being able to smoke.
Do it in your own home, and if you have kids, DON'T DO IT AT ALL! I feel so sorry for my students who come to school REEKING from their parent's smoking.

Naplesjeff, concerning the beach patrol,
I could not agree MORE! They are all useless EXCEPT the young one who is usually on the buggy.
He does quite a lot to help the wildlife.
The rest are wasted space and taxpayer's money.

We only have the "pigs" to blame for this...pick your cigarettes up so I can't feel them in the sand when I walk on the beach. I'm glad, it's a gross disgusting habit anyway!

OK year round. We "low lifes" contribute (quick google)some 21.2 BILLION to state and federal coffers. You want us "low lifes to live into our 90's and become a bigger drain on medicare/medicaid? We are doing you a favor and enjoying it at the same time. We need more smokers ,not less. The bit of your post that scares me is the "And someday we're going to make smoking tobaco illegal, like smoking crack." You health freaks will bankrupt the system. Lighten up Gawd forbid you have a coronary as a result of your self rightousness

Actually we have no concrete idea the real impact of smoking and secondhand smoke on health. Thanks to organizations like the Lung Association a person can die from blood poisoning from a paper cut, but because the individual was, or had been at one time, a smoker chances are pretty good that this person will be as a tobacco statistic.

I know a woman who cleans rooms for a living. During one time in her life she did smoke, but never had any problems with her respiratory system that are normally associated with smoking. She quit smoking then a few years later started working as a housekeeper at a university. Then she started developing numerous respiratory problems such as bronchitis and pneumonia.

This was attributed to a past history of smoking. Even though her lungs had enough time to recover from the effects if smoking, no doctor seems to want to make an association between the chemicals she uses on her job to her lung problems. Some of these cleaners, if one bothers to look at the safety data sheets, are irritants of mucus linings, skin irritants, some can enter the bloodstream or nerves through inhalation and/or absorption through the skin.

Granted I can show you studies that cigarettes causes cancerous tumors; one such study on laboratory mice had the animals inhaling the equivalent smoke of 1000 plus cigarettes each per day. There were more realistic studies on laboratory animals using more reasonable levels of exposure, but none of them produced any type of disease.

Smoking has been recently linked to breast and cervical cancers, but I'm still waiting for the science to back up those assessments.

Having solved all our other problems, the Naples City Council has outlawed an activity that involves minimal public harm.

I don't smoke. I don't like cig smoke.

Nonetheless, this is an intrusive nanny state law that solves a nonproblem. We have too many useless laws.

I will vote against all these incumbents.

YearRoundResident, Now tell us what you really think. I quit smoking 10 yrs ago but I do have tattoos but you'd never know it by looking at me, HA! What a shocker! Do you have anything against someone who dyes their hair or wears a hair piece or is the different skin color as yours. I am very proud to be what you call a LOW LIFE and a SURVIVOR!

Butt....Stand your ground.....Or have your head stuck up the governments Butt!

Go smokers! Keep on puffing away. And thanks for giving me great earnings on my tobacco stocks. I started buying tobacco stock back in 1953 and it has become my very high monthly retirement income. So, once again, thank you smokers.

Proud sponser of "Encourage smoking, USA."

P.S. I don't smoke, but live the full life because other do.

YearRoundResident....could you tell me where YOUR beach and YOUR water is located so I can be sure to stay off YOUR property. Until that time comes, EVERY resident of Collier County pays the taxes that maintain the PUBLIC beach and PUBLIC water and has just as much right to enjoy what THEIR tax dollars are paying for as much as anyone else. You tax money doesnt spend better than anyone elses, so get over yourself.

Stjames.....my brother is a resident of California and its sad to say, but you two sound exactly the same. You sit around and brag yourself's up while the rest of the Country laughs at you and shakes their heads.

Naplestaco's I find your comments to make complete sense and hold extreme rational thinking. Thank you for adding to the blogs.

I think this would be a stupid ordinance if only for the fact of enforcement. There will be none!

#46 Posted by NaplesTaco
**QUOTE**
If someone doesnt like second hand smoke. Relocate. The world is ours to share, the good and the bad.
**END**

Wrong!

Human beings do not produce smoke naturally, they are taking a product that is offensive and detrimental to some and imposing it onto others, so smokers should be the one to relocate.

Now flatulence, that's natural, and if someone doesn't like it, then they should relocate. <g>

Sand n surf--that is a gross generalization for a state that is far bigger than Florida. There are too many people to stereotype. Hey, and I am a resident of Naples and Ft. Lauderdale also.

To ALL smokers! We can't take you seriously as your addiction is talking for you.

sanibelblueyezz...
I thought the issue was about smoking and the realization of what a disgusting habit it is. I guess you know this and that is why you changed the subject.
Inhale all the carcinogens you want just don't blow it my way. Then our medical insurance has to pay for your ignorance. Not to mention your loved ones...Go ahead and take the selfish approach

A cancer patient can't eat a marijuana brownie in the privacy of his own home. Why are the cigarette smokers surprised? They are going to litigate everything. Prepare yourself.

Year Round, the only thing I smoke at the beach are fine cigars which cost around 20 a stick, I usually buy them in multiples of 100 ( I like to share) you really want to make idiotic generalizations?

#73 freedomsailor What's your annual dividend.....your soul?

Shame on you for making A profit on evil doing!

Shall I quote scripture?

If Europeans want us to laid our towels on a stinki, butt poluted beaches, they should be put on the next plain back to Europe or somewhere else. Beaches are for every body to enjoy and relax, not a bar like atmosphere. This law is doing more than saving the sand. It is saving lives.

jagv0565, "Its just matter of good manners and education,if I smock I try stay away from other people even if I know that they smock too unless I know them."

Man what you been Smocking??

South of the Border sounds great why dont you go there? BTW, When you get there and smock, dont drink the water.....

What's smock or smocking?......Now I'm really confused

Let's ban smoking everywhere in Collier County including private homes.

Question? How far out to sea does a person need to go in order to scatter the ashes of a loved one? Will smoking be allowed at that range??? And if I am a smoker and distraught over the death of my loved one, can I light up?

I'm sorry, the absurdity of this whole thing has gotten to me!!

Naplesheart ... learn to spell before you post. We in America spell "plain" as plane - if you don't know the difference, fly out of here on your "plain" as you know nothing about the American way of life, and for sure nothing about the English language. It is OK to drink on the beach? Drinking is widespread and is not enforced either...How many people does that kill every year! You know nothing of which you speak! I don't ask anyone to move their "butts" for drinking or leaving diapers or a bunch of trash... I am an avid beach goer - non smoker who finds this law invasive. You will be next - whatever your fault, and we all have them - maybe you are fat or ugly, you will be next! We can ban you too!

eltuna... I know you are one of the "perfect ones" that has no faults... do you have any fun?... I rather doubt it. I do... and it doesn't involve smoking... but it does involve including all people in to my life . You are a classic snob and part of the reason Naples is biting the dust....get a life! There are "carcinogens" everywhere...move to Alaska, please!

The truth is that no matter if the city ordinance is passed or not the city police department will spend little to no time enforcing the ordinance. The only ones a person would have to worry about would be one of the beach patrol guys. The only time an officer would say something to an individual would most likely be if a complaint was called in by a citizen. Then the officer would have to respond. And the ordinance would just be added to the list of dozens of other city ordinances that are sometimes enforced.

JunkYardDog - Sure, if you like. Look it up and just give us Chapter and Verse. We can read it for ourselves. It will cut down on the boredom for the rest of the posters.

freedom...what makes you so cool

It is just something that the mayor has devised to show that he is on the job/earning his keep. In reality it has little to no teeth and little to no chance of sustained enforcement.
It just so hapens that numerous criminal activites have been occurring in and around the pier for years and the mayor has never seen fit to address those issues properly. He could have set a closing time for the pier say midnight or so thus solving those problems. Instead he refused to do so opting for random patrols. He just recently opened a new position for a nightime pier/beach patrol guy. That has helped I believe. The point is his priorites are little askew.

JustBeachy - Never claimed to be cool. What's your claim?

Good-go kill yourself on your own terms with your stinky weed-let us smart people breath some "clean" air!

Barnett you truly are an idiot. And no I do not smoke! Litter is your problem- So bend yo as ova and pick em up, boy. (That is if you really care about NAPLES)

freedom - I am a Christian but let's not bring "verse" into this - it is about civil rights. I just think this is an invasion of civil rights... what's next?, I am a non smoker who thinks this it a ridiculous invasion of civil rights. I personally don't care if someone smokes on the beach. I would much rather focus on more important issues. You apparently are hung up on the "scripture" Well what does "scripture" say about gays on the beach? We have that too - but no one talks about it! Among many other indiscretions that occur but are never reported. Lets install a police state.... is that what we all want?

eltuna, I do not smoke so how could I blow them your way. What have you been smoking?

Justbeachy... you obviously have no idea who you are stereotyping
If you call being a snob using proper manners then shame on your parents for not bringing you up properly.
I was in SOBE for New Years...Last week in Vegas...Now in New York
Smoking a cigarette is SO MUCH FUN...
I think you need a reality check.
Or maybe I will give up what I am doing and have a big party on the beach with my friends smoking cigarettes. That sounds like a blast.
As with everything there is a time and a place for everything.
I certainly do not need added carcinogens from someone's filthy habit who has only demonstrated lack of consideration for others.
Maybe you haven't read the Surgeon General's Warning for the last 40 years. Not sure what you are defending. Defend a right to pollute? It smells disgusting. I guess you think lungs are overrated...Welcome to civilization!

The Brooks, want to smell some fresh air ? Just go out to the everglades prox. 40-60 miles east from Naples. That is in the middle of no-mans land. u -no green place. And get a good whiff of some alligator farts!

eltuna - so where you go makes you important - who gives c$%^ where you are. Guess where I am??? A far better place than any place you have mentioned... it's called HOME. A NON-SMOKING home - this is not about smoking - it's about civil rights. I don't like the Jet Fuel you burned to get to your snobbish place. And as far as my upbringing, I am an Air Force child (now adult) who has seen the world in a much clearer view than you will ever know. Go to Iraq and report back - you might have a smoke while you're there! Military protocol is a lot more impressive than your ramblings about upbringing. Get with the real world. Go back to your Cosmo!

I am sure there are many of you that feel that those baseball players who took steroids should be penalized. Why? HGH and some steroids are legal. Probably because of the children who will mimic them.
Smoking in public is the same thing for children who witness adults smoking. Its legal.
Is this the lessons you would like to hand down?
Rise above your selfish needs.

You need a good .... Lighten up. Enjoy life instead of finding fault with everything and everyone but you. Sure hope you're not married... I really feel for the poor soul. Why are you on to a steroids conversation now?... you are out there - you must know someone who has a problem with it! Lets ban that too. Teaching your children begins at home... where you brag about not being. Hope you don't have kids. What's next, close all the bars, close the malls, close Naples.... sounds good.

eltuna ????????? Certainly not from uuuuuuu

JustBeachy, I never said I was important. You said I was a Naples snob and YOU ASKED if I had any fun. What makes you see things clearer? Who cares about your military upbringing?? Obviously it did not work well for you.
Defending civil rights? How is burning a carcinogenic stick a civil right?? It is a fictitious symbol of freedom. In fact, it is slow suicide which is a smelly disgusting habit that should not be handed down to any new generations. The only reason that it made it this far is because of big business which was able to lobby their position because of idiots like you who identify this as a source of civil liberties. You have been hypnotized by Philip Morris, now Altria group. The only one who won, is them. What will it take for people to realize this? All the worrying about civil liberties and what they will take next. Fight for something worth fighting for if your feeling so feisty. Unless you have scientific proof that disproves all of the health hazards discovered. If you are going to come at me then make sure you have your facts straight about me and the subject.

ELTUNA... YOU'LL NEVER GET IT ... WHAT A TRUE AMERICAN YOU ARE. MOST SNOBS LIKE YOU DON'T CARE. YOU DON'T HAVE TO DEAL WITH A SON IN IRAQ. YOU'RE NOT FIT TO BE AN AMERICAN. I SUGGEST REMOVAL.

ndn -ELTUNA IS AN ANTI-AMERICAN AND I REQUEST HE/SHE BE REMOVED. I AM OFFENDED BY THE ANTI-AMERICAN STATEMENTS. HE/SHE MAY BE TALIBAN OR AL QUIDA