WAKIKI, Hawaii -- Smoking would be banned along Waikiki Beach under a proposal making its way through the state Legislature.

Video: Watch The Story

A broader proposal for a smoking ban at all state beaches and beach parks failed last year's legislative session.

But KITV's Keoki Kerr reported that the more-focused smoking ban has a better chance of passing.

Waikiki Beach has surf, sand and cigarette butts, and there's a new proposal to ban smoking there.

Even smokers in the Beilharz family from Melbourne, Australia said they support the idea.

"Because I think a lot of people don't pick up their butts, and then why would you want it in the sand?" said Helen Beilharz.

They said they're already used to many smoking restrictions in Australia so it wouldn't bother them if they had to walk a few steps to the sidewalk or any private property along the beach to light up.

"I think that would be good, so people don't litter the beach, the beautiful beach, and I think the only butts on the beach should be in bikinis," said Eliot Beilharz.

Besides being unsightly along the beach, cigarette butts cause another problem, according to beach boys who work there.

"A lot of people leave their cigarette butts on the beach, they end up going in the water, you walk on the beach, your feet are black underneath, and a lot of that is from the cigarettes," said Tony Scarfone.

Waikiki Representative Tom Brower introduced the proposal.

"We want to keep the beach clean of cigarette butts, so we want to eliminate smoking on the shoreline area and in the nice, pristine, sandy areas," said Brower.

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

"I think it makes sense. Waikiki is a beach known throughout the world and let's start somewhere where we can monitor. If it needs to expand to other beaches, then be it," said Brower.