More Florida Cities Pass Ordinances Banning Smoking at Public Parks, Beaches

Published Sep. 15, 2022, 12:12 p.m. ET | Updated Sep. 15, 2022

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FLORIDA (FLV) – More cities are passing ordinances banning smoking at public parks and beaches across Florida.

The cities of Windermere, outside of Orlando, and Miami Beach are the latest on the list, according to reports.

Commissioners approved the ordinance to ban smoking cigarettes and nicotine on public beaches and in city parks in Miami Beach. This will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2023.

Officials say violators of the ban in Miami Beach could face a maximum punishment of a $500 fine and up to 60 days in jail, although arrests will be at the discretion of police.

Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber says he is delighted to finally adopt the ban.

“I am weary of the blight of cigarette butts and the secondhand smoke that too often invades our public spaces,” said Gelber.

The Windermere Town Council also voted to pass an ordinance banning smoking and the use of vapor-generating electronic devices in town-owned public parks on Tuesday night.

In Windermere, violators of the ban may face fines up to $100.

SB 224 and HB 105 were filed in the Florida Legislature to allow municipalities to restrict smoking and the use of vapor generating electronic devices within the boundaries of public beaches and public parks within their jurisdiction.

The law presented to Gov. Ron DeSantis was approved on June 24, 2022 and went into effect July 1.

Since the new state law has passed, the following cities have passed smoking bans:

  • Windermere: No smoking or vaping at parks
  • Miami Beach: No smoking at beaches and parks
  • Daytona Beach Shores: No smoking at parks
  • South Daytona Beach: No smoking or vaping at parks
  • Palm Bay: No smoking or vaping at parks

More areas reportedly looking to add to the list, including Melbourne, St. Cloud, Sarasota, St. Petersburg, and Pinellas County.

A Windermere analysis reported that in 2021, an estimated 15.5 percent of the adults in Florida were tobacco smokers and that tobacco smoke contains over 7,000 chemicals, including hundreds that are toxic and up to 69 that are known to cause cancer.

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