OCEAN CITY, Md. – It’s more than a line in the sand. It’s a line around the boardwalk.

Ocean City’s new smoking restrictions took effect earlier this month, but Memorial Day weekend will be the first real test for visitors.

“There is no smoking allowed anywhere on the boardwalk now in Ocean City,” says Mayor Rick Meehan.

The ordinance went into effect May 1.

Most of the beach is also smoke free, with the exception of some designated smoking areas.

Meehan says second-hand smoke and environmental concerns motivated the action.

“The cigarette butts and the leftover tobacco products that are left on the beach are an environmental concern,” he says. “Some of those cigarette filters are there forever.”

Smokers will get a warning first before facing a fine.