Smoking on Panama City Beach Now Illegal: Officials

Aug.10.2022
Smoking on Panama City Beach Now Illegal: Officials
Panama City Beach bans smoking and vaping on the beach to prevent litter and improve image.

Would you like to take a leisurely sunset stroll on the beach in Panama City Beach (PCB) with a drink in one hand and a cigarette in the other?


Officials say not to even consider it.


City officials discussed the position taken to make smoking, even electronic smoking, on the city's beaches illegal during Tuesday's council meeting.


The temporary overnight closure of the beaches in Panama City has been deemed a success, as there were no arrests or citations made.


PCB officials have revealed that Panama City Beach Fire Rescue is seeking bids for the construction of a new fire tower to enhance their training capabilities. This move is aimed at taking their training to new heights.


The mayor, Mark Sheldon, informed the city council that he is seeking a resolution to this issue, stating, "I endorse it. I hope we take a stance.


When informed of the difficulties in enforcement, he responded, "Yes, we are aware. The same goes for regulating speeding behavior.


The committee has called upon the city prosecutor to draft a new law, which would consider the prohibition of not only cigarettes but also e-cigarettes.


The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) stated that cigarette butts are a common, persistent, and toxic form of marine debris.


They are also difficult to remove from the beach.


According to Congressman Paul Castro, they had to use rakes to clean the beach 10 or 15 times.


Amy E. Myers, the city prosecutor, informed the council that bill number 105 in the Florida State House of Representatives could potentially ban cigarettes and e-cigarettes under the Florida Clean Air Act, but unfiltered cigars would not be affected.


The bill was passed by the House in February and by the Senate in March, signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis on June 24th, and went into effect on July 1st.


The lawmaker Michael Jaman noted that the law had been "overwhelmingly passed by the state legislature" and urged lawyers to "work towards finding a solution.


I believe that most people will comply," said Congresswoman Mary Coburn.


The mayor has agreed.


We live on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world and discarded cigarette butts do not align with the image we want," said Sheldon.


Castro inquired whether violators would face fines similar to those for "glass on the beach or unleashed dogs.


Miles pointed out that a first offense may result in a fine of $50.


Statement:


This article is compiled from third-party information and is intended only for industry-specific exchange and study.


This article does not represent the views of 2FIRSTS and 2FIRSTS cannot confirm the authenticity or accuracy of the article's content. This article compilation is only intended for industry communication and research purposes.


Due to limitations in translation abilities, the translated article may not fully express the same meaning as the original. Please refer to the original article for accuracy.


2FIRSTS maintains complete alignment with the Chinese government on any domestic, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and international statements and positions.


The compilation of information belongs to the original media and author, and if there is any infringement, please contact us for deletion.



Disclaimer

This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.

Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.

The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.

This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright Notice

This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.

No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.

For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.

 

AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice

Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.

Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.

2Firsts Exclusive Analysis | RLX Q1 Revenue Rises 96.2%, International Business Points to a More Integrated Global Strategy
2Firsts Exclusive Analysis | RLX Q1 Revenue Rises 96.2%, International Business Points to a More Integrated Global Strategy
RLX Technology’s Q1 net revenues rose 96.2% year over year, with international business accounting for 72.3% of total revenue. Beyond the headline growth, the results point to deeper globalization: European operations, Nexus supply-chain integration and a broader product portfolio are becoming key signals to watch.
Special Report
May.20
From Heating Blades to Heating Paper? CTHB Patent Points to Microwave Heated Tobacco Design
From Heating Blades to Heating Paper? CTHB Patent Points to Microwave Heated Tobacco Design
According to China’s patent office records, a patent owned by China Tobacco Hubei Industrial Corporation (CTHB) for “cigarette paper and a cigarette for microwave heating” was granted on May 19, 2026. The patent describes cigarette paper with an outer wrapping layer, a heating layer, and an isolation heat-conducting layer, allowing it to absorb microwave energy, convert it to heat, and transfer that heat to the aerosol-generating substrate.
Jun.10
 BAT Raises Growth Outlook for Smokeless Products as Velo and Vuse Gain Momentum
BAT Raises Growth Outlook for Smokeless Products as Velo and Vuse Gain Momentum
British American Tobacco (BAT) has raised its growth outlook for smokeless products, forecasting “mid-teens” growth for its new category portfolio, including vaping and nicotine pouch products, while global cigarette volumes are expected to decline further.
BAT
Jun.02
FDA Proposes Foreign Tobacco Factory Registration Rule to Tighten Import Oversight
FDA Proposes Foreign Tobacco Factory Registration Rule to Tighten Import Oversight
The FDA has proposed a rule requiring foreign tobacco manufacturers to register facilities and list products before exporting to the U.S. If finalized, the rule could affect overseas OEM/ODM factories, contract manufacturers, specification developers, bulk product makers, and repackaging or relabeling firms. FDA says the proposal would help identify unauthorized imported tobacco products, including e-cigarettes.
Special Report
Jun.26
Nature Health Comment Urges Wider Role for Smoke-Free Nicotine Products in Tobacco Control
Nature Health Comment Urges Wider Role for Smoke-Free Nicotine Products in Tobacco Control
Ahead of World No Tobacco Day, a Nature Health Comment by Robert Beaglehole, Ruth Bonita and Tikki Pang argues that regulated smoke-free nicotine products could help accelerate the global decline in smoking. The authors propose a “smoke-free 2040” goal and call for risk-proportionate regulation distinguishing cigarettes from lower-risk nicotine alternatives.
News
May.20
U.S. Senator Durbin Criticizes FDA’s First Flavored Vape Authorization, Says Trump Administration Conceded to Big Tobacco
U.S. Senator Durbin Criticizes FDA’s First Flavored Vape Authorization, Says Trump Administration Conceded to Big Tobacco
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin on May 13 criticized the Trump Administration’s Food and Drug Administration for approving the sale and marketing of fruit-flavored e-cigarettes for the first time, while also allowing some illegal vaping products to remain on the market. He also linked the regulatory shift to the departure of FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, saying White House pressure on regulators to approve tobacco product applications could create serious public-health consequences.
Regulations
May.15