FL considering the banning of cigarettes on Beaches (Nokomis: disposal, live)

[Sunshine Rules]

A state senator plans to introduce a bill during the next FL legislative session to allow cities and counties to ban cigarette smoking on their area beaches or designate specific smoking areas.

Supporters say cigarette butts are the most commonly found debris left on beaches and that those butts harm sea turtles, fish and birds.


https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/01/0...gains-support/


Personally I hope local governments would support cigarette bans on our beautiful beaches if this legislation passes.

[2nd trick op]

Personally, I have not smoked a cigarette (of any variety) in my llfe, but there exists a point beyond which human behavior can't be micro-managed by legislation, and an expensive bureaucracy to enforce it. This was demonstrated by the "noble experiment" called Prohibition a century ago, reinforced over the past half-century by the marijuana laws, and is currently playing itself out via the uproar over vaccination mandates.

Why can't the New Puritan dreamers understand this?

[AaronDavidSchultz]

Smoking is not a problem...it's the disposal of the residual butts it seems to me.


You already have sand, to place a bunch of receptacles in certain places with signage that appeals to the environment and personal fun and safety.


WE don't need any more Big Brother dictates about health choices - disposal of trash issues is another matter in the public domain.


And NO, I'm not a smoker, but if someone wants to smoke outside, knock yourself out...literally

[lovetotravel15]

Hope so! Nothing worse than sitting on a beach enjoying a gorgeous day and smoke blowing over!

[rfomd129]

No one in my family smokes cigarettes and I personally don't like the smell of it but come on ... an open beach? Are you really going to have smoke blowing in your face?

My property is two blocks from the beach and I often find cigarette butts on the edge of my property. I don't like it at all but I would hate to think that the government would be able to stop someone from smoking on a walk outdoors. Banning smoking on the beach is the same thing. Too much like a "nanny" state for me.

The problem is that there are people who are thoughtless and leave their butts anywhere they please. People like that would continue to do so even with a ban. I hope this bill winds up in a circular receptacle where it belongs.

[AaronDavidSchultz]

Bookit

[Nancy in Nokomis]

I do not smoke but am sick of all the "laws" - come on if you do not like smoke - do not sit next to a smoker - live and let live - I do believe they should dispose of their butts properly though.

Dont NY our Florida

[rfomd129]

Originally Posted by Nancy in Nokomis

I do not smoke but am sick of all the "laws" - come on if you do not like smoke - do not sit next to a smoker - live and let live - I do believe they should dispose of their butts properly though.

Dont NY our Florida

Couldn't agree more and I was born and raised in NJ!

And no laws are ever going to change people who don't dispose of them properly. I've seen smokers put the butts in a container and carry them out with them - they are considerate people. The ones who leave them on the beach will continue to do so. No one is going to police the beaches for smokers, nor should they.

[loves2read]

Originally Posted by Sunshine Rules

A state senator plans to introduce a bill during the next FL legislative session to allow cities and counties to ban cigarette smoking on their area beaches or designate specific smoking areas.

Supporters say cigarette butts are the most commonly found debris left on beaches and that those butts harm sea turtles, fish and birds.


https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/01/0...gains-support/


Personally I hope local governments would support cigarette bans on our beautiful beaches if this legislation passes.

But the state won’t require masks to cut down on CoVid exposure….
Sure that move is so logical…

[OptimusPrime69]

Smoking is already banned in so many places, I'm fine with them being banned on the beach. In fact, I'd love to see it. FL has such beautiful beaches, we need to protect them at all costs. I don't care if you need to fulfill your nicotine addiction on the beach.....go sit in your car or stand on the side of the road and inhale the exhaust fumes. BYE.