The council of Panama City Beach in the United States has recently passed an ordinance forbidding smoking and vaping of e-cigarettes on beaches within 400 feet of public parks, access points to public beaches, and the Russell-Fields pier.
According to lawmaker Michael Gman, the proposed smoking ban will only apply to controlled areas within certain cities, not to entire beaches. The proposal is being considered by the committee under Florida House Bill 105, which would prohibit smoking and vaping in parks and beaches.
Unfiltered cigars are not subject to state laws. This means that if the Panama City Beach ordinance is passed, individuals can still smoke unfiltered cigars in all areas of the city where smoking and e-cigarettes are banned.
The only exceptions for smoking and using electronic cigarettes in these areas are designated smoking areas specified by city managers and smoking areas inside vehicles and during certain special events.
According to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the United States, "cigarette butts are a common, persistent, and toxic form of marine debris." Officials also stated that they are difficult to remove from beaches.
The local smoking ban has been passed with a 3-2 vote. Mayor Mark Sheldon and councilmember Paul Castro supported the ban, while councilmembers Phil Chester and Mary Coburn did not. Coburn stated, "I believe Tallahassee gave us a very elitist legislation by allowing smoking of unfiltered cigars instead of smoking (and vaping). I am not a smoker, but I want to encourage people not to smoke because it truly infringes on our personal freedom.
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