Jacksonville, Florida Bans All Smoking, Including Vaping, on Beaches
City Council Unanimously Votes to Expand Restrictions; Fines and Misdemeanor Charges Possible
Beachgoers in Jacksonville, Florida, will no longer be able to smoke or vape on the sand. The City Council voted unanimously on Monday, May 5, to ban all forms of smoking, explicitly including electronic cigarettes and vaping products, on its beaches. The ban took effect immediately.
The updated city ordinance now defines “smoking” to encompass “inhaling, exhaling, burning, carrying, or possessing any lighted tobacco product, or electronic nicotine or vaping product.” This includes cigarettes, cigars (filtered and unfiltered), pipe tobacco, e-cigarettes, and vape pens. Previously, e-cigarettes and unfiltered cigars were excluded from beach smoking restrictions.
Residents had voiced concerns about the health impacts of smoking and secondhand smoke exposure. Councilman Greg Sutton expressed mild disappointment that the comprehensive ban wasn’t implemented sooner but affirmed it was “the right thing to do.”
Violators caught smoking or vaping on Jacksonville’s beaches can expect fines starting upwards of $50 and may also face misdemeanor charges. Discussions are already underway to potentially expand similar bans to other public areas in the city, such as parks, due to concerns about litter from used tobacco products. Jacksonville joins other Florida cities like Fort Lauderdale and Dania Beach, as well as destinations in New York and California, in implementing strict smoking and vaping prohibitions on public beaches and in parks.
- News source: A Popular Vacation Destination Has Officially Banned Vaping on its Beaches and Violators Will Be Fined
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