Smoking will be banned at all lifeguard-protected areas at some of the most popular and famous beaches at Massachusetts' Cape Cod National Seashore, according to a Seashore press release.
Beginning next week, officials will carry out the ban since visitors at the popular resort area made several complaints, Reuters reported.
"The smoking prohibition is the result of a number of complaints from visitors who have been affected by second-hand smoke on the guarded beaches," park Superintendent George Price said in a statement late on Tuesday.
The statement also noted that smoking has been prohibited at all six of the national park's guarded beaches, including Fire Island National Seashore.
Price told the Cape Cod Times that secondhand cigarette smoke ''ruins the experience'' of non-smokers at the beach.
However, smoking will still be allowed in outdoor spaces not protected by lifeguards.
"Clambakes, body surfing, whale watching, and fishing are just some of the pastimes at Cape Cod National Seashore," National Parks Traveler reported. "Others include beach volleyball, birding, hiking, and, quite naturally, swimming."
"Summer vacations at the Cape have long been an American tradition, dating back well before the national seashore was authorized in 1961."
The ban, taking effect on June 19, will affect about 4.5 million people who visit the Cape Cod National Seashore each year, according to the local Chamber of Commerce.
"Among U.S. states, Massachusetts has been a leader on restrictions on smoking in public," according to Reuters. "A decade ago then-Governor Mitt Romney signed a law making it illegal to smoke in offices, restaurants or bars and a state lawmaker this year introduced a bill that would make it illegal to smoke in apartment buildings, to reduce exposure to second-hand smoke."
The smoking ban covers Coast Guard Beach and Nauset Light Beach in Eastham, Marconi Beach in Wellfleet, Head of the Meadow Beach in Truro, and Race Point Beach and Herring Cove Beach in Provincetown, Boston.com reported.
