Beaches, Lakefronts, and Waterways.

As it is difficult to retrieve cigarette butt litter buried in the sand or tossed in the water, provide education and opportunities to reduce litter before visitors enter a beach, marina, or waterfront area. Cigarette butt litter at water front locations may prompt cities to extend smoking bans to these areas, shifting discarded butts to local streets.

To reach individual boaters, connect with the local Coast Guard Auxiliary and the US Power Squadrons. These organizations provide boat education and “vessel safety” checks. And consider the Clean Marina Initiative to work with marina operations and recreational boaters on cigarette litter prevention

• Display signage and other targeted education at entry points, boat fueling areas, changing rooms, and concessions.
• Distribute pocket ashtrays to adult smokers throughout the beach and boating community. To target beach litter, connect with the local Surfrider Foundation chapters. Consider engaging local river patrols, waterfront and marina owners, and yachting associations to help post signage and hand deliver portable ashtrays that fit in cup holders. And don’t forget fishing and kayaking clubs.
• Use events such as the Great American Cleanup and the International Coastal Cleanup to educate volunteers about cigarette butt litter and waterways, as well as offer pocket ashtrays to smokers.
• Ensure ash receptacles are at transition points, including vehicle and pedestrian access areas to the beach, docks and piers, parking lots, boat rental, residential areas, and boardwalks and other retail locations.