State Senator Introduces Bill to Ban Smoking on Florida Public Beaches

A state senator in Florida wants to put an end to residents and tourists being able to light up tobacco items while enjoying their day at all Florida public beaches.

The proposal was submitted by Democratic Senator Joe Gruters of Sarasota and demands a fine of $25 or have to perform 10 hours of community service for a first-time offense if anyone breaks this law.

A report that was released by the environmental group Ocean Conservancy, based in Washington DC, pointed out that cigarette butts top the list of more than two million items found on beaches.

“The cigarette butts not only disfigure the beach, they also turn out to be a problem for the environment since they can go to the sea and then be ingested by marine life,” said a report by the environmental group.

“In addition,” he added, “they would release toxic substances into the water, whose accumulation could cause further damage to marine life.”

In the absence of a state regulation, certain municipalities of Florida have established rules that suggest bathers go to smoke away from the sand.

For example, the town of Hollywood, located north of Miami, posted notices inviting smokers to enjoy their cigarettes off the beach.

Other municipalities, such as Dania Beach, Deerfield Beach, Lake Worth, Juno Beach and Jupiter, installed ashtrays but still but the problem of pollution continued.

Two years ago, the city of Miami Beach created a oluntary smoke-free zones at fifth Street and 86th Street while Hollywood raised signs in 2017 urging individuals not to light up cigarettes. Sarasota County passed a law in 2012 restricting smoking on shorelines before it was ruled unlawful five years later.

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.