10:15am Monday 2nd July 2007
By Andy Whelan
It may have been the start of the smoking ban but you didn't have to look far to see yellowing, wrinkled butts yesterday.
The eye-watering view was caused not by smokers but the rear ends of a group of campaigners who used the occasion to promote their anti-litter message. The Marine Conservation Society, Surfers Against Sewage and British Naturism joined forces to promote the No Butts on the Beach message.
The Marine Conservation Society fears the smoking ban, which came into effect yesterday, will cause more people to smoke outdoors on the beach.
Brighton and Hove's naturists bared all to promote the campaign, which has been launched to protect marine life.
Last year 5,782 cigarette ends were found on 358 beaches around Britain, and butts have been found in the guts of whales, dolphins, sea birds, fish and turtles.
Emma Snowden, the Marine Conservation Society's litter projects coordinator, said: "Trillions of cigarette butts enter the water environment every year, with potentially devastating effects on marine wildlife."
Despite concerns the ban will cause smokers to stay at home, it has been business as usual for the city's pubs and bars.
Graham Boyd, landlord of the Lord Nelson in Trafalgar Street, Brighton, said: "I have had a few regular customers go outside for a cigarette and others have not bothered to smoke.
"Some people might stay away but the ban could attract others who never liked smoky atmospheres."
Katie Bayford, deputy manager of The Sussex in East Street, Brighton, said: "There have been no problems so far.
"But maybe at the weekend when people have had a few pints they might forget they are not supposed to smoke.
"We have had quite a lot of our food customers say how nice it is not to smell smoke."
Lap-dancers at the Top Totty club in Grand Parade Brighton, turned heads when they stepped outside the front door for a smoke.
The club's general manager, Paul Robinson, said: "We might have to hire an extra security person to accompany the girls outside.
"They can't go out the back of the club - there's a retirement home nearby and we want to stay good neighbours with them."
But not everyone is willing to stub their cigarettes out without making a protest.
Three regulars at The Rising Sun pub in Upper Beeding, near Steyning, lit a cigar at the bar hours after the ban came into effect.
Lawson Symons, 63, Bob Kingston, 69, and John Mayoss, 70, broke the law because they oppose the Government's ban.
Mr Symons, of Hyde Street, Upper Beeding, who quit smoking five years ago, said: "I've not smoked since I was diagnosed with stents in my cardiac artery but wanted to protest against the nanny state interfering with our rights."
Are upset at the ban or pleased because you think it will help you quit? Leave your comments below.
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