Florida

State Senator Introduces Bill to Ban Smoking on Florida Public Beaches

What to Know

  • The state of Florida currently does not allow individual cities and counties to ban smoking on beaches.

A state senator in Florida hopes to put an end to residents and tourists being able to light up tobacco items while enjoying their day at the beach.

Sen. Joe Gruters, a Republican from the Sarasota area, filled Senate Bill 218 on Wednesday that would ban all tobacco items from public beaches. Anyone caught smoking would be fined $25 or have to perform 10 hours of community service for a first time offense.

The bill does not specifically mention the use of vaping items or other e-cigarettes. The state of Florida currently does not allow individual cities and counties to ban smoking on beaches.

The city of Miami Beach created a voluntary smoke-free zones two years ago at 5th Street and 86th Street while Hollywood erected signs in 2017 encouraging people not to light up. Sarasota County passed a law in 2012 banning smoking on beaches before it was ruled unconstitutional five years later.

If the law passes, Florida would join New Jersey in banning smoking on beaches after that state passed a law that fined violators $250 for each offense.

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