The California state Assembly today will consider a bill to ban smoking at all state parks, including beaches, the Associated Press reports.

The proposed bill, which has already passed the state Senate, is aimed not only at eliminating second-hand smoke, but also to deal with unsightly cigarettes butts on beaches and to reduce the threat of wildfires.

The AP says the ban would be the most far-reaching in the country since it would apply to all parks in the state system, not just beaches.

The author of the legislation agreed to exempt campsites and parking areas after state park officials say that would be difficult to enforce.

Similar smoking bans are being considered in Hawaii, New Hampshire, New Jersey and New York, according to the American Cancer Society.

(Posted by Doug Stanglin)