California governor, former bodybuilder and action movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger has used his veto power to snuff out a bill that would have banned smoking in all state parks and beaches, calling it “an improper intrusion of government into people’s lives”.
Mr. Schwarzenegger, an avid cigar smoker who even erected a special smoking tent outside his office, said on Monday that the far—reaching legislation was a power—grab by state authorities over what should be a local issue.
“There is something inherently uncomfortable about the idea of the state encroaching in such a broad manner on the people of California,” Mr. Schwarzenegger wrote in his veto message. “This bill crosses an important threshold between state power and command and
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local decision—making.”
The bill would have imposed a $100 fine on people who were caught smoking at any of the 278 state parks or beaches, though it would have allowed smoking in parking lots and campgrounds.