TREASURE ISLAND, Fla. – In 2022, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law House Bill 105, which amended the Florida Clean Indoor Air Act to allow cities and counties to restrict smoking at public beaches and public parks, subject to certain exceptions including unfiltered cigars.
Citing health and environmental benefits, the Treasure Island City Commission voted to ban cigarette smoking and vaping products on the city’s public beaches, city parks and the Beach Trail.
“I am excited to join other municipalities from across the state that are also banning smoking on their beaches.” Mayor Tyler Payne said. “While this will be an adjustment for our residents and visitors, it is a big step forward in our conservation and environmental efforts. I am confident this will make our beaches a cleaner place for everyone to enjoy.”
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The new ordinance prohibits both cigarettes and vaping at these locations, except for unfiltered cigars. The idea behind prohibiting both is to control the smoking and litter that is left behind. It is estimated that up to two-thirds of cigarette filters are discarded as litter that can take years to decompose and contains hazardous, potentially toxic substances.
Made of tightly packed plastic fibers, cigarette butts deteriorate into smaller pieces and accumulate in fish and other organisms. This negatively affects seabirds, sea turtles and marine mammals, according to Treasure Island Adopt-A-Beach, an affiliate of Keep Pinellas Beautiful that leads beach cleanups in Treasure Island. The organization said cigarette butts have been the most recovered item during numerous beach cleanups throughout the year.
“Our beaches are going to benefit greatly from this new ordinance.
Environmentally, it will reduce the amount of trash on the beaches,” founder of Treasure Island Adopt-a-Beach Carrie Auerbach said. “Educating our visitors will be key to making this change a success.”
Cartridges of e-cigarettes and vaping possess just as big of a risk to the environment as cigarette butts. The waste from vapes contains mercury, lead and other toxic chemicals that can reach into soil or sand, is not biodegradable, poses as a choking hazard for small children, animals, and ocean creatures, and is being discarded as litter in increasing numbers.
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Those found violating the ordinance will receive a warning with a reasonable time to stop. If the person violating the ordinance does not stop, they will be issued a $88 citation.
The ordinance goes into effect immediately. Smoking will still be allowed in public parking lots and in some beach areas situated between the Beach Trail and beach hotels. The hotelier will have the option of making that area smoking or non-smoking.
If those businesses choose to allow smoking, it will be their responsibility to maintain and keep that area clean. If hoteliers do not have a license agreement with the city, then these areas will be considered a public beach and will fall under the city’s ordinance.
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