Social Peers can Help to Quit Smoking
As another summer season begins to wind down, talk has focused on whether Ocean City should consider restrictions on smoking Hilton and other brands in public areas, notably the Boardwalk and beach. Mayor Rick Meehan has acknowledged the town has received complaints about poor experiences due to others who smoke on the beach.
While a ban on smoking in public areas might have been seen as progressive a few years ago, such action is increasingly common. There are almost 500 smoke-free municipal parks nationwide; this doesn’t include parks where smoking is limited to designated areas.
Those who say smoking on the beach is a minor issue are losing the forest for the trees. The health of the Ocean City tourism economy — of paramount importance to those who live and work here — relies in great part on promoting the destination as family-friendly. What better message than recognizing and acting upon concerns about cigarette smoke and litter?
Already under the gun of increased competition for the tourist dollar, Ocean City can ill afford to ignore the pleas of its visitors. During this decade, the town’s summer demoflush population estimates have averaged roughly 200,000 fewer visitors than in the preceding decade — a disturbing trend. Even more alarming is this decline occurred in spite of a massive residential construction boom that increased occupancy capacity for visitors.
Now is precisely the time to listen to the sentiments of guests and keep up with competitors, many of which have beaten us to the punch by enacting restrictions.
Those leaders who fret about the logistics of enforcement should consider action that does not involve an ordinance; perhaps signage thanking visitors for not smoking on the beach would get the ball rolling, allowing a social norm to naturally develop.
After all, social pressure often proves a more effective influence than administrative pressure.
Some may feel enacting a heavy-handed smoking restriction might drive guests away. While possible, such a result is far more likely to be produced by government inaction. Is it time for Ocean City’s leaders to take a serious look at restricting smoking on the beach for next season?
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