NMB moves to ban smoking and vaping on the beach

By Ruben Lowman

The North Myrtle Beach City Council has taken a definitive step toward clearing the air for coastal visitors by granting unanimous first reading approval to a new ordinance that would prohibit all forms of smoking on public beaches.

During a session on Monday, April 6, city leaders addressed what they said were long-standing frustrations regarding secondhand smoke and the environmental impact of cigarette-related litter, which remains one of the most persistent forms of debris along the shoreline.

Officials verified the proposed ban would be comprehensive, covering not only traditional tobacco products but also e-cigarettes and similar vaping devices. If ratified the new rules will apply to the entire stretch of shoreline from the dunes to the Atlantic Ocean, as well as all public access points and parking lots to prevent concentrated pockets of smoke from forming where families and children enter the beach area.

Local officials, led by Mayor J.O. Baldwin, acknowledged the logistical challenges of monitoring the city’s nine miles of coastline but emphasized that the measure is about setting a community standard and protecting public health.

He said that rather than deploying dedicated enforcement officers to patrol the sand, the city intends for the policy to be largely self-regulating and complaint-driven.

The strategy relies heavily on the installation of clear signage to act as a deterrent and a collaborative marketing campaign with the North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce to educate tourists and locals alike.

Beyond the immediate health benefits for beachgoers the ordinance is being framed by city leaders as a vital environmental protection measure for the delicate coastal ecosystem. New NMB City Manager Ryan Fabbri pointed out that by including access ramps and dune crossovers in the ban the city is ensuring that the path to the water remains clear of both smoke and litter.

While the current version of the proposal does not specify fines or criminal charges for violations, leaders believe that the combination of public education and the community desire for a cleaner environment will lead to widespread compliance.

The council will now prepare for a final vote scheduled on April 20.