HONOLULU -- Making Hawaii's beaches smoke-free is legislation that before has been proposed.

But now it appears that the issue is gaining momentum both on the county and state levels.

KITV's Jill Kuramoto reported that the beach is one of the last of the public areas where people are free to light up.

The Hawaii County Council said it is moving toward approving a ban on smoking at all Big Island beaches, parks and recreational areas.

The fine for violators would be $100, officials said, but to the bill's sponsor, the message is more important than the money.

"My goal is to send the right message to kids, to address people's health concerns and to protect the environment," Democratic House Majority Leader Rep. Kirk Caldwell said. "I think putting those two together is pretty compelling that our state, being one of the healthiest states in the nation, would take the next step and be the first state in the nation to actually ban smoking on beaches."

Banning smoking in public places is a trend spreading across the country. Southern California currently has the largest concentration of smoke-free beaches, officials said.

"There's a greater understanding that secondhand smoke is an issue for our kids, and also an understanding that we as a nation are facing a real health-care crisis when it comes to tobacco use," Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Hawaii member Deborah Zysman said.

Currently, Hanauma Bay is the only smoke-free beach on Oahu.

Those who support a ban call it a welcomed law.