The new year is a time for resolutions and some may want to give up smoking. It is something Oahu started banning at beaches and parks a year ago. But how is that law working out? <\/p>\n
Click here to watch Paul Drewes's report. <\/p>\n
Even with cooler winter temperatures, many still spent their Sunday at Ala Moana Beach Park. While there may be a little chill in the air, there is also less smoke. <\/p>\n
\"Before when we would come to the beach we would find a lot of littering and older people smoking with the kids running around. Second-hand smoking is not good. The air wasn't as clean,\" said Aiea resident Sheri Nii. <\/p>\n
Now that a smoking ban has been around for a year, Nii and others are breathing a sign of relief. <\/p>\n
\"It helps that they put the ban on. The air is a lot cleaner,\" said Nii. <\/p>\n
Not only is the air cleaner, so are picnic areas and beaches. <\/p>\n
\"I've seen a big difference in the amount of cigarette butts on the beach, sidewalks and on the coastlines,\" said Kahi Pacarro, with Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii. <\/p>\n
How bad were things before? <\/p>\n
\"On Maui we did a cigarette butt sweep of the entire island and in two hours we found 14,000 cigarette butts,\" said Pacarro. <\/p>\n
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Read the original:<\/p>\n
How effective is Oahu's smoking ban?<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The new year is a time for resolutions and some may want to give up smoking. It is something Oahu started banning at beaches and parks a year ago. Continue reading