Florida Bill Would Ban Smoking and Vaping at State Beaches and Parks

There’s a new proposed bill that would make it illegal to light up a cigar at state beaches and parks in Florida.

Yesterday, the Florida Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee voted 7-0 in favor of S.B. 1576, which would modify state law to ban smoking and vaping at state beaches and parks. Notably, the bill does not include an exemption for cigars.

In 2022, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law H.B. 105, which changed Florida law to allow cities and counties to pass their own smoking bans at public beaches and parks. However, that bill contained language that prevents cities and counties from banning the smoking of “unfiltered cigars.” This new bill would only affect state parks, meaning even if it passes, you would still be able to smoke cigars at city- and county-owned beaches and parks.

The new bill was introduced by Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez, R—Doral.

If passed, it will introduce fines of up to $100 for a person’s first violation and up to $500 for subsequent violations. The new law would go into effect on July 1, 2024.