Miami Beach has set up two voluntary smoke-free zones to try to reduce second-hand smoke and cut down on litter.
The zones are at the southern end of Lummus Park at 5th Street and on 86th Street, city officials said Friday. Signs telling residents and tourists "Thank You for Not Smoking" will be posted at the zones.
The new program is voluntary, since Florida law prevents local governments from regulating smoking on public property.
"This pilot program was brought about to initiate efforts to reduce second-hand smoke, which can pose a health risk to everyone, and also as an anti-litter measure as discarded components of cigarettes are toxic to wildlife, waterways and beaches," Miami Beach Director of Environment & Sustainability Elizabeth Wheaton said in a statement.
Wheaton said discarded cigarette filters are the single most collected item during beach cleanups each year. City officials say they take between five and 10 years to completely biodegrade and are hazardous to birds and other marine life.
They added that the butts don't look pretty in the streets, sand or ocean.
